Good news for people who think they may have MVP
For years, mitral valve prolapse (MVP) was considered a serious and prevalent heart condition. In a study in
The New England Journal of Medicine (July 1999), it was actually shown to be less common and serious than once believed. "MVP is a condition in which a heart valve (the mitral valve) is enlarged, which causes it to flap backward into the upper chamber while the heart is pumping. This may cause a murmur or clicking sound as blood flows backward through the valve," states
Vincent Spagnuolo, MD, cardiologist and medical director of Virtua Memorial Hospital's cardiac program of excellence.
Out of 3,700 participants in the study, it was found that MVP only occurred in about two percent of the participants, compared to reports that 10% of the general population suffer from the condition. The study also found that MVP did not contribute to an increased risk for heart failure, stroke, or atrial fibrillation. "Most patients with MVP have a very mild form of the disease," states Dr. Spagnuolo. "But a small percentage of patients have severe cases that ultimately result in mitral valve replacement and close monitoring by a physician."