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'm a 23 year old chef who had to stop working in the kitchen due to MVP. I just could not bear the heat and stress the kitchen brings with the heart condition. The one particular day I decided to stop work was when I blacked out and nearly fell face first into the kitchen grill. Since then, even the simplest activities such as using the stairs, carrying groceries or even just getting up from a seated position causes violent palpitations, sometimes I could even hear my heart pulsating in my ear. I have no idea what to do. I'm still young but can't work anymore. My cardiologist recommended I take beta blockers but they only make me drowsy, weak and depressed. Here's to wishing for a miracle cure... Published: October 28 ::