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Mitral Valve Prolapse
This common heart condition caused by a valve abnormality can lead to occasional breathing problems. According to research or other evidence, the following self-care steps may be helpful.
- Shake on the salt
Unless otherwise instructed by your doctor, try more salt in your diet to help prevent symptoms associated with MVP, such as heart palpitations or anxiety
- Monitor your magnesium
Visit your doctor for a simple blood test to find out if taking 500 mg a day of magnesium might help control symptoms
- Ease the stress
Avoid stress as much as possible and develop coping skills to help prevent stress-related symptoms
Also indexed as:
- balloon mitral valve syndrome,
- Barlow's syndrome,
- click-murmur syndrome,
- floppy valve syndrome,
- mitral valve prolapse,
- mitral valve prolapse (MVP),
- MVP
About this treatment
About This Condition
The mitral valve is one of the four valves separating chambers of the heart. Mitral valve prolapse (MVP) is a common and occasionally serious condition in which the cusp or cusps of the mitral valve bulge into one of the heart chambers during the heart’s contraction. This bulging is caused by abnormalities in the valve’s structure. When serious, mitral valve prolapse may progress to mitral regurgitation, where the incompetent valve can no longer keep blood from leaking backwards into the wrong chamber of the heart.
Symptoms
Most people with MVP experience no symptoms. Some may experience difficulty breathing during exertion or when lying down, tremor, fatigue, lightheadedness, dizziness, and fainting. Some develop dull chest pain, palpitations (awareness of the heartbeat), anxiety, and other symptoms associated with the “fight or flight” response. When MVP causes these symptoms, it is referred to as dysautonomia syndrome.
Last Review: 05-11-2011
Copyright © 2011 Aisle7. All rights reserved. www.Aisle7.net
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The information presented in Aisle7 is for informational purposes only. It is based on scientific studies (human, animal, or in vitro), clinical experience, or traditional usage as cited in each article. The results reported may not necessarily occur in all individuals. Self-treatment is not recommended for life-threatening conditions that require medical treatment under a doctor's care. For many of the conditions discussed, treatment with prescription or over the counter medication is also available. Consult your doctor, practitioner, and/or pharmacist for any health problem and before using any supplements or before making any changes in prescribed medications. Information expires June 2011.
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