Cause

Mitral valve prolapse (MVP) is caused by a physical change in the valve. Physical changes such as thickening or abnormal shapes cause most of the cases of MVP. What causes these physical changes is not known. MVP may be passed down through family members.

Some people who have other inherited diseases (ones that run in families) may also have MVP. But this link is not common. Inherited diseases associated with MVP include:

• Marfan's syndrome.
• Ehlers-Danlos syndrome.

Conditions that affect the mitral valve, connective tissue, and heart muscle can cause mitral valve prolapse, but this is rare.

Other conditions, such as osteogenesis imperfecta and hyperthyroidism, are linked with mitral valve prolapse.

Symptoms

For most people with mitral valve prolapse (MVP), the effect on the heart is minor, and they have no symptoms.

Some people with MVP have shortness of breath, chest pain, or heart palpitations. But it is not clear that these symptoms are caused by MVP. Doctors don't know exactly why some people have these symptoms.

In rare cases, people who develop severe mitral valve regurgitation may have symptoms of heart failure (such as shortness of breath, fluid buildup, and fatigue) or symptoms of arrhythmia (such as lightheadedness and weakness).