Symptoms of Mitral Valve Prolapse

Symptoms of mitral valve prolapse are often not present (in mild cases). But patients who do have mitral valve prolapse symptoms may experience chest pain, palpitations, feeling lightheaded, or fainting. More severe complications and symptoms of mitral valve prolapse, including sudden death, may occur in extreme cases.

 
 

Symptoms of Mitral Valve Prolapse: An Overview

People with mitral valve prolapse usually don't have any symptoms. Sometimes, however, symptoms will occur. Since mitral valve prolapse is so common, it is difficult to say whether these symptoms are due to the prolapse or something else.
 
If someone does have mitral valve prolapse symptoms, they might include:
 
  • Chest pain
  • Heart palpitations
  • Light-headedness
  • Fainting.
     

Severe Symptoms of Mitral Valve Prolapse

Complications can result from mitral valve prolapse, but they are rare, occurring in less than 1 percent of people with this condition. Complications that can occur with mitral valve prolapse include:
 
  • Stroke or TIA (also known as a "mini-stroke")
  • Arrhythmia
  • Mitral regurgitation (blood going back up into the left atrium)
  • Sudden death.
     
People with mitral valve prolapse who are under the age of 45 and do not have mitral regurgitation are at low risk for any complications from their condition.
 
 
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Written by/reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
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