What is MVP? (Mitral Valve Prolapse)

In a normal valve the flow of blood goes from the left atrium to the left ventricle. Upon closing it prevents blood from going back into the left atrium. With MVP the flaps don't close evenly. One or both flaps collapse backwards, sometimes allowing a small amount of blood to leak through the valve. Mitral Valve Prolapse is a genetic disorder and seems to affect women three times more than men. It is one of the most common cardiac findings. There is usually no need to be concerned. The heart is functioning perfectly normally and does not tend to degenerate over time. Diagnosis is usually confirmed by an echocardiogram, which provides an actual picture of the valve. Infection of the Mitral Valve (endocarditis), is extremely rare. However, people with MVP have a slightly greater risk of contracting it. For this reason we suggest antibiotic prophylaxis for certain dental and surgical procedures. Speak to your physician.

What is MVP Syndrome?

Forty percent of patients with MVP also have an imbalance of the autonomic nervous system, or ANS, called dysautonomia. The ANS is composed of two systems; the parasympathetic and the sympathetic. It controls virtually all body functions, such as respiration, heartbeat, blood pressure, vision, and digestion. When this system is out of balance it can cause a myriad of symptoms (see below). This combination of symptoms is known as MVP Syndrome. Diagnosis is made by physical examination, a careful medical history, and an echocardiogram. Unfortunately, MVP does not always show up on an echocardiogram, thus MVPS is a clinical diagnosis. Usually symptoms do not show up before the age of 14 or 15, but more and more children display central nervous system symptoms before the MVP shows up. Ninety-eight percent of people with MVP Syndrome have nothing wrong with their heart. The majority of symptoms are caused by an out-of-balance nervous system.

Common triggering events:

Childbirth, major viral illness, menopause, accident, surgery, college (leaving home and stress), death of a loved one, marriage, moving, divorce. Our nervous system doesn't differentiate between good or bad stress.

People with MVPS have a higher incidence of:

TMJ (temporomandibular joint dysfunction), scoliosis, fibromyalgia, PMS, fibrocystic breast disorder, tinnitus (ringing ears), infertility, SAD (seasonal affective disorder), altitude sickness, seasickness, and endometriosis.

Things to avoid:

Humidity, extreme temperatures, saunas, lifting heavy weights.

Statistics:

MVP affects about 15 to 25 percent of the population. Forty percent of these people have MVP Syndrome. Seventy percent of patients have depression. Only two percent of MVP patients have actual structural problems. At least 40 to 60 percent of MVPS patients suffer from panic attacks. MVPS patients often have low energy levels. Forty to fifty percent of echocardiograms do not detect MVP.

Diet:

Eliminate nervous-system stimulants, such as caffeine and sugar. Alcohol is not usually tolerated well by MVPS patients. MVPS patients should drink at least 64 ounces of fluid per day, more in hot whether, to keep from dehydrating.

Exercise:

Start an aerobic exercise program. Build up gradually to at least 30 minutes per day, five times per week.

Medication:

Beta blockers, calcium channel blockers, anti-anxiety agents, antidepressants, anti-migraine, anti-diarrhea, and acid controllers. Avoid medications that contain stimulants such as epinephrine and pseudo ephedrine.

Major symptoms:

Fatigue (one of the most common symptoms)

Chest pain

Palpitations or irregular heart beat: When you have heart palpitations, they can make you feel as though your heart is not beating properly. Note that whether you describe the palpitations as "flutters," "flip flops," or "skipped heartbeats," they all fall into the category of palpitations.

Migraine headaches: Research undertaken by the University of California at San Diego found that men and women with MVPS/D have a greater tendency to suffer from headaches than the normal population (Ford and Ford 1996).

Anxiety: Generalized anxiety disorder is the name for feeling much more anxiety than the amount, or degree, of anxiety that most people experience in their daily lives. When you suffer from this disorder you are always anticipating disaster.

Depression: Depression should not be confused with the occasional feelings of unhappiness that everyone experiences now and then. With this sadness the moods lift, and people continue being able to function. Clinical depression does not get better for months; sometimes for years if you do not receive medical help.

Panic attacks: For some time it has been well documented that there is an association between MVPS/D and panic attacks. The MVP Center In Birmingham, Alabama, found the incidence of panic attacks to be present in 60 percent of their patients who had been diagnosed with MVPS/D (Lyn Frederickson 1992).

Shortness of breath: People with MVPS/D are often out of shape because of their low energy levels. This is very much a vicious cycle, because the poorer your condition, the lower your tolerance for any kind of activity. You may notice your heart rate increases greatly with minimal exertions, and you become short of breath. Exercising regularly will alleviate this symptom.

Minor symptoms

  • Neck aches or pains
  • Feeling hot or cold, not related to external temperature
  • Arm or leg aches
  • Shakiness
  • Swelling of arms, hands, legs, or feet
  • Difficulty sleeping
  • Backaches
  • Intestinal or stomach trouble
  • Difficulty with urination
  • Numbness in any part of the body
  • Aches or pains in hands or feet
  • Fainting spells
  • Excessive perspiration or inability to perspire
  • Trouble with eyes or visual disturbances
  • Skin trouble or rashes
  • Muscle fatigue or weakness
  • Dizzy spells
  • Muscular tensions
  • Twitching muscles
  • Poor health in general
  • Excessive gas
  • Bowel trouble (constipation or loose bowels)
  • Hay fever or other allergies
  • Trouble concentrating or memory problems
There is a greater incidence of the following in patients with MVPS/D:
  • Scoliosis, curvature of the spine
  • PMS
  • Fibrocystic breast disorder
  • Low body temperature
  • Endometriosis
  • Thyroid disease: Dr. Phillip C. Watkins, director of The MVP Center in Birmingham, Alabama, states that they see about a half a dozen MVPS/D patients every day that also have a thyroid disorder.
  • Fibromyalgia
  • Pectus excavatum: Also known as sunken breastbone.
  • Clinical Depression: Seventy percent of MVPS patients suffer from clinical depression. This is a staggering figure!

"A common problem in patients with Mitral Valve Prolapse Syndrome is the presence of mood swings. These mood swings are particularly noticeable in the month from November through March. During this period of time many patients experience marked change in mood, particularly the onset of depression. In the past this has been termed the "holiday blues" but also is known as "seasonal affective disorder or S.A.D. It is very puzzling to understand why this occurs especially in patients with MVP Syndrome." Dr. Phillip Watkins, director of the MVP Center, Birmingham, Alabama

In recent years research has been done on S.A.D. Studies have shown that patients experiencing S.A.D. show an abnormal rise in a brain chemical called melatonin. Increased levels of melatonin lead to depression. These patients also begin craving carbohydrates and sweets. This is thought to be due to abnormal levels of serotonin which is a normal neurotransmitter present in the brain.

Research has now shown that by changing levels of serotonin and melatonin the mood swings, particularly the depression and the craving of carbohydrates, can be corrected.

Major clinical depression is manifested by a combination of symptoms that interfere with the ability to work, sleep, eat, and enjoy once pleasurable activities. These disabling episodes of depression can occur once, twice, or several times in a lifetime.

A less severe type of depression, dysthmia, involves long term, chronic symptoms that do not disable, but keep you from functioning at "full speed" or from feeling good. Sometimes people with dysthmia also experience major depressive episodes.

If you suffer from anxiety, panic disorder, or clinical depression, you are not lazy, senile, or crazy. You are not a hypochondriac, and above all, you cannot just "snap out of it." (Sorry Tom Cruise). Too many people suffer needlessly, not recognizing that their pains and aches, their exhaustion and irritability may be symptoms of an underlying depression. Some people don't seek treatment because they attribute their symptoms to a personal "weakness." Others wait and hope their "blues" will go away by themselves.

Treatment: If you suffer from any of the above disorders, please seek the appropriate medical treatment. There are many types of treatment, depending on the individual. Patients suffering from any of the anxiety disorders are sometimes very frightened of medications, fearing they will cause horrible side effects. Sometimes counseling is needed to help these patients change their "disturbed thinking." Beta-blockers, antidepressants, and benzodiazepines are probably the most effective. Other choices are cognitive and behavioral therapy, and biofeedback. Most medical professionals believe that therapy along with medication is the most effective.

All information taken from Mitralvalveprolapse.com