What are the Implications of "Prolapse"?

QUESTION: A frequent pain in my chest brought me to my doctor's office. I am
a 44 year old woman in reasonably good health, and so the diagnosis of disease
of my heart valves called a "prolapse" was both a surprise and a cause of some
anxiety. What are the implications of this heart disease for me; will it
require that I change my life style?
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ANSWER: Your condition, called mitral valve prolapse (MVP and in this case
does not mean "Most Valuable Player"), is a common abnormality of one of the
heart valves, the mitral valve. It is more common in women than in men, and
can be found in from 5% to 10% of our population. While most often discovered
in adults, MVP may be a congenital situation, present at birth. The mitral
valve prevents the blood coming into the heart from the lungs from flowing
backward. The valves are held in place by fine cords, and close each time the
heart contracts. If the valves are not formed properly, or the cords are too
long, they fail to close properly, and some blood may leak backwards. This
causes a murmur or low sound to be produced, which along with the click of the
improperly closing valves are the clues the physician hears when listening to
your heart through the stethoscope. Further tests with electrocardiogram,
chest x-rays, or echocardiogram (which uses sound waves to form a picture of
the heart) may be used to may be necessary to confirm the diagnosis, although
frequently the typical pattern of sounds and your general physical condition
are enough to identify the condition. In the majority of patients, MVP is not
a serious condition, and in fact, once the diagnosis has been confirmed and
the patient is assured that no real dangers exist, the chest pain disappears
without additional treatment. Most patients are in no danger and have no
symptoms, and even those who do have symptoms, rarely have evidence of
increasing heart damage. Most probably, MVP will not require you to change
your life style, or necessitate ongoing treatment. Only in the case of severe
leakage is surgical repair considered, and your own physician is in the best
position to offer you the personalized advice and consultation you may require
to allay your fears.