Treatment Overview

Initial treatment

Most people with mitral valve prolapse (MVP) do not have symptoms and do not need treatment. Regular checkups every 3 to 5 years are usually all that is required. A normal lifestyle and regular exercise are recommended for most people who have MVP.¹

If you have symptoms, such as shortness of breath, chest pain, or palpitations, and your heart exam or echocardiogram suggests a higher risk of complications, you may need more frequent checkups, perhaps yearly.

Your doctor may want to do an echocardiogram to confirm that you have mitral valve prolapse, to see whether you have mitral valve regurgitation, or to rule out other heart problems.

Treatment if the condition gets worse

If you have severe mitral valve regurgitation as a complication of MVP, you may need surgery to repair the mitral valve. If your mitral valve cannot be repaired, you may need surgery to replace the mitral valve. Surgery may also be needed if other structures related to the mitral valve are severely damaged.

In rare cases, severe mitral valve regurgitation, which is a complication of MVP, can lead to heart failure. For more information, see the topics Mitral Valve Regurgitation and Heart Failure.

If you have a rhythm problem called atrial fibrillation, you will be treated for that problem. For more information, see the topic Atrial Fibrillation.