I am now 24 years old and am a second year medical student in the Philippines. I was 19 years old when I was diagnosed with mitral valve prolapse. I was then a nursing student. I knew there was something wrong with my heart ever since I went to college, where I was subjected to more stress on top of being away from home. But then one day after studying for three long exams, I experienced chest pains radiating to the left medial side of my arm. I was crying then because the pain was really severe. The pain even persisted until that night, which prompted me to seek medical help. Now, I am living a normal life. I am surviving on medicine, even without coffee! My palpitations and chest pains have lessened, though I would still have a feeling of being drowned when I would sleep. Well, I just maintain a positive outlook in life. I remain cheerful and I have tried to minimize my aggressive and perfectionist personality. I also find time to exercise amidst my hectic schedule. And I just try to enjoy what I am doing. Published: November 25 ::

I'm a 62 year old white male. For a few years prior to being diagnosed with mitral valve prolapse (MVP) at the age of 60 via a stress echocardiogram, I had chest pains, what felt like irregular heartbeat, my heart often feels as though it's pounding. It feels like it’s beating hard and in a constant feeling of anxiety. As all the above were/are present on a daily basis, obviously the symptoms have an effect on behavior and mental outlook. I wondered if I was having some sort of mental problems. I received no help or guidance from the first cardiologist I saw. All I got from him was a sketchy call from an assistant regarding whether or not I had blocked arteries and so on. It wasn't until my annual checkup that my regular physician read my report and informed me the test showed I had an enlarged left atrium and MVP. Everything I've learned about the side effects of MVP, I've learned from researching sites like this one. What I've learned has made it somewhat easier to deal with the symptoms, though they still cause concern. If what I experiencing was typical (and reading so much leads me to believe it is), the medical profession really needs to take steps to avoid the type of inattention and unnecessary worry I've experienced. Published: October 12 ::

I’m from Palestine, since 4 years ago, when I was 20 years old, I was feeling irregular pulse rhythm and some chest pain, I visited many doctors but none of them determined my case. For making me relax they advise me to take Beta Blocker, I used to take beta blocker all the last period every 2 days.2 years ago a doctor determined that I have MVP and ask me to continue in taking beta blocker. So I feel depressed because I have to deal with beta blocker all the rest of my life. but before 2 months I research about MVP on the net and I found many useful things and I realized that MVP is related directly to the nervous system which affected by many kinds of food. So I begin drinking 2 liters of water daily and avoid taking caffeine especially coffee, tea, and chocolate. Now I just want to tell you that I stop taking BETA BLOCKER, and didn't feel any of the last symptoms, but some time I feel irregular pulse but I take some relaxers and every thing is going fine. Published: August 27 ::

I am a 23 year old female that one day had severe chest pain. This was the day that changed my life. I was at work, like any other day, when suddenly I had a terrible pain in my chest, I felt very short of breath, with hot flashes. I thought I was just sick. I turned pale white and felt as though I was going to pass out. With in two hours of feeling this way I was in the hospital hooked up to different machines. They couldn't determine what was wrong with me. I went home and two days later another episode that brought me to tears. I started noticing how I was short of breath after doing little things, like walking to the restroom or even from the living room to the kitchen to make coffee. My Dr. was struggling but determined to find what was wrong. He mentioned at one of my exams an irregular heart beat. He ordered an echo when finding out my father passed away at a young age, 47, do to an undetected heart problem. The echo showed the signs and confirmed that I had MVP. I kept complaining of a pressure on my chest. It felt like 10 tons of bricks just sitting there. Even though I was breathing and getting oxygen it felt as though I wasn't. My Dr. ordered every test known to man kind, to find out that it is MVP. It's been 2 months since all of this has started, I still have the pressure in my chest, I get the palpitations every day, and I am ready for a nap at about 2:00pm every day. It's encouraging to know that this is common. I have learned to live with the complications as mine don't seem to subside very often. I have taken things out of my life, IE. Coffee, alcohol etc. As it makes me feel worse, and my palpitations worse when those things are in my blood stream. It's hard being so young as the doctors are afraid to do anything. Every day is a new day and a new experience. My doctor right now is working towards getting me the proper medication needed so I can maintain a normal life. Published: August 27 ::

I was diagnosed with MVP 25 years ago, 6 months after the birth of my first child. Symptoms included fluttering, palpitations for no apparent reason, occasional discomfort in my forearm, persistent cold hands and feet, not able to get a deep breath. At times, I would experience a crushing feeling in the center of my chest when lying on one side or the other. Diagnosis came when I saw a cardiologist and he did an echocardiogram. What a relief to find that it was not life threatening. Stress seemed to be the trigger for years afterwards. Now, it's definitely caffeine that brings on these feelings. Coffee and diet coke are both culprits. Drinking lots of water seems to help...and staying away from caffeine. I have echocardiograms done about every 5 years. Published: March 08 ::