Ongoing Concerns

Monitoring your condition and seeing your doctor

Many people who have mitral valve prolapse (MVP) are not aware that they have it until they have a routine physical or other checkup. Symptoms are rare.

After MVP is diagnosed, you will have regular exams. How often you need these exams is based on whether you have complications like mitral valve regurgitation or thickened valve flaps (leaflets). If you do not have symptoms or complications, your doctor may suggest an exam every 3 to 5 years.¹

Symptoms that may appear with MVP may also be symptoms of other conditions or complications of MVP. Because of this, your doctor may do tests to rule out other conditions with similar symptoms.

Complications

Complications of mitral valve prolapse (MVP) are not common. Most people with MVP do not have significant problems and do not need treatment. Complications of MVP develop mostly in people who have:

• A mitral valve murmur during contraction (systole).
• Thickened mitral valve flaps (leaflets).
• An enlarged upper left heart chamber (atrium) or lower left heart chamber (ventricle).

Complications of MVP include:

• Mitral valve regurgitation, which is the most common complication.
• Infection of the valve and lining of the heart (endocarditis).
• Irregular or rapid heart rhythm (arrhythmia).
• Temporary interruption of blood flow to an area of the brain (transient ischemic attack, or TIA) or a stroke (mainly in those who have atrial fibrillation).
• Heart failure, if mitral valve regurgitation develops.