Mitral Valve Prolapse: An Introduction
Mitral valve prolapse is a very common condition in which the mitral valve (a valve in the heart) bulges back into the atrium when the left ventricle contracts. Mitral valve prolapse is found in about 4 percent of the general population. It is also called floppy mitral valve or click murmur syndrome.
The mitral valve separates the left atrium in the heart from the left ventricle. When the left ventricle contracts, the mitral valve normally closes to prevent blood from going back into the left atrium. With mitral valve prolapse, the mitral valve still closes properly. But as the blood is pumped out of the left ventricle, the mitral valve leaflets abruptly bulge back into the atrium. Most often, mitral valve prolapse causes a characteristic clicking sound (when heard through a stethoscope), but no blood goes back into the atrium. In more severe cases, blood goes back into the atrium (
mitral valve regurgitation). This can result in complications related to the mitral valve prolapse.
Diagnosing Mitral Valve Prolapse
Mitral valve prolapse is diagnosed based on the characteristic
heart murmur heard when listening to the heart with a stethoscope. An electrocardiogram (EKG) and echocardiogram are usually used to confirm the diagnosis.
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