Mitral Valve Prolapse: How Often to Recheck?
- Mari Rossini, N.P.
Question
I'm a healthy female (34) with mitral valve prolapse and mild/trace regurgitation. What are the recommendations on checking this condition? I'm told it's a benign condition but my cardiologist checks on it biannually.
Answer
My cardiologist mentor, Dr. Lon Keith, use to correlate mitral valve prolapse with being bald. He'd remark that some men are bald, some are not - some people have mitral valve prolapse, some don't. When it becomes a problem is when the amount of prolapse of the leaflet of the valve increases and we have a larger amount of "regurgitation". Regurgitation is the amount of blood that backflows back through the valve. In the case of the mitral valve, it backflows back toward the lungs.
Trace means very little regurgitation and mild means a little and these are considered to be "normal". Moderate regurgitation can be concerning and severe regurgitation is very concerning.
A baseline echocardiogram can quantify the amount of regurgitation and identify if the leaflets of the valve are healthy. This exam serves as a basis for follow up.
In my patients who have trace or mild regurgitation, I do recommend that they return annually for follow up to listen to their symptoms and listen to their heart, to compare to their previous assessments. Most of the time, there's no worsening of the prolapse or murmur over time.
Explore related topics
Related questions
View all questions- Health Q&A
Angina vs. Heart Attack
Recently I was having pressure in my chest and pain in my neck and arms. I thought I was having a heart attack. The ER doctor said I have angina. How is angina different from a heart attack?
- Health Q&A
Chest Pain Causes
I'm having chest pains, but all my tests related to the heart have come up clear. What could be the causing this pain?
- Health Q&A
Coronary Blockage Treatment Options
If you have been diagnosed with a coronary blockage, what treatment options are available?
- Health Q&A
Heart Disease Symptoms in Men and Women
Are symptoms of coronary artery disease the same in women and men?
- Health Q&A
Heredity and Heart Disease
A number of my relatives have heart disease so I've been told by my doctor to watch what I eat, exercise, etc. My question is: why does one's heredity put a person at extra risk for heart disease?