Anyone else here have a mitral valve prolapse?

[Rock'n Robin]

Just wondering, because supposedly they are as common as being left-handed.
I was diagnosed with a MVP about 11 years ago, between DD#1 and DD#2. The Dr. heard it and sent me in for an ultrasound. I don't have regular medication or anything. I am just supposed to get antibiotics before any dental or surgical procedure.
Lately it's been giving me issues. I had to go to the ER with an "episode" in April that was different than before--pains that made me a little breathless. Sometimes I get a sharp pain--not in the middle (where the heart is) but usually on the outside of the breast area.
When I went to the ER they did an EKG and an XRay and found nothing out of the ordinary so the DR though it was MVP related. He said I should go to my DR. and get another ultrasound since they've changed quite a bit. I put it off and finally made an appt. today (I had a weird thing last night where my heart rate was up to about 80--it came down within minutes, but then I was nervous and couldn't sleep until 3AM!!). The nurse seemed ticked and asked why I didn't call my cardiologist. I don't have one! Anyhow, they are short of doctors and I couldn't get in until Wednesday. (my own doctor is out getting back surgery so I don't know which one I have to see).
I hope the doctor can just refer me for an ultrasound without giving me a huge hassle. I bet cardiologists have a waiting list to be seen, and I missed so much work last year when DH had guillan-barre I want all of my medical needs to be taken care of before summer vacation is over. Last time I got a "new" doctor (a dermatogolist for to have a non-cancerous spot removed) I couldn't get in for 3 months because I was a new patient!
Anyone else have a MVP? Did yours get any worse over time?
Robin M.

 

[Blondy876]

I have it too. It doesn't usually bother me. I don't often think about it unless I have a dental appt or other procedure that requires I premedicate. I do occassionally have palpatations and loss of breath but when I questioned my doc. about it he said it was mvp related and not to worry about it. Good luck with your ultrasound. Keep us up on how you're doing.

 

[gina2000]

I was diagnosed with it in my mid twenties using an echocardiogram. I have no problems with it except I'm prone to waking up in the middle of the night for no reason. Apparently, that is a symptom.

I do have an echo done every year as a precaution to see if my mitral valve is leaking.

 

[dizneenut]

I was diagnosed when I was 5 years old. The only problem I have is palpitations. Only medication I need is before dental or surgical procedures.

 

[mrsv98]

I don't, but DSis does as do 3 or 4 other people that I know. I think I read that 25% of women have this to a varying degree. Sis used to take inderol but doesn't need it anymore (hmm, wonder if it conincided with her divorce and move to Denver ). I haven't known anyone who has actually had to have surgery to repair it.

 

[SandrainNC]

I have it too! I was diagnosed when I was around 17 I think. Then I had one recheck in my early 20s and no ultrasounds since. I do take medication when I go to the dentist. I had an "attack" once when I was around 20. I felt my heart race and then my arm felt numb and I couldn't breathe. I went to the emergency room and they said I was fine, but what happened was I felt my heart race and panicked which led to the other symptoms. (this is when I went in for a recheck). If I feel a flutter now, I just remain calm and don't get the other symptoms. I also occassionally get some pain, but it doesn't last long and not very often and is usually on the left side.

Sandra

 

[dg39]

I also have MVP. My dr. told me the around 85% of women have it. Thankfully, other then going on antibiotics before dental/surgical procedures, I don't even know I have it.

 

[Momma Rabbit]

I have MVP I was diagonsed at age 11 and I'm now in my 30's. I have pain and shortness of breath, & lots of flutters. I always take the major doses of meds before dental appts, but I haven't seen a Dr regarding the MVP in many years.

 

[bajanswife]

I have it, but it only gave me symptoms when I was 8 months pg (higher blood volume). I don't take antibiotics for dental procedures etc. because my MVP doesn't leak, so there's no more risk of infection than anyone who doesn't have it. I do have a leak in another valve, but it's one of the ones that doesn't get much pressure (i.e. it's one of the "emptying" valves), so there's no backflow of blood through the prolapse that makes infection likely.

I don't get symptoms when I'm not pg, and I don't take meds or do anything different.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

As a cardiac nurse we don't see people in the hospital for this problem persay, but sometimes we might see arrythmias or a need valve surgery as a result of it. If it were me I might like to establish a relationship with a cardiologist and go for yearly checks so if I did have any problems in the future they'd know me and if anything did occur it could be dealt with quickly, efficiently and correctly.

Maybe these artlcles can shed some light on the condition for you. Good luck.

http://www.texasheartinstitute.org/mvp.html

http://familydoctor.org/598.xml

http://www.nursing.wright.edu/practice/mvp/default.htm

 

[4nana]

I was diagnosed with MVP at the age of 50yo. I awoke one night with tachycardia and knew at that rate mt heart was pounding I'd soon be in serious trouble. My dr. met us at the ER and admitted me for three days for testing. I was diagnosed w/MVP, which is apparently common in women and usually not serious. That is difficult to believe when you wake up in middle of night with flutters or get out of breath from minor excursion . I also suffered with migraine headaches and therefore was put on atenolol, which seems to help MVP patients also. Thankfully, my migraines have stopped on the atenolol. I also am pre-medicated before any procedures.

In my researching on the web, I was surprised to learn a host of aliments that can come with MVP. Also, many patients with autoimmune problems, such as thyroid disease are more prone to MVP.
My dr disputes this theory . However, I choose to educated myself and try to keep on top.

Infomative link
www.thyroid-info.com/articles/mitral-valve-prolapse.htm

Pea-n-Me... thanks for the links!

 

[dgaston]

I developed MVP with a case of rheumatic fever when I was 7. I took prophylactic penicillin until 18, and now use an antibiotic prior to dental procedures. I have had two sonograms in recent years and a stress test and none of my physical activities are restricted. I do take many medications for high blood pressure, and diabetes. But things are fine--no heart symptoms that prevent me from doing anything.

 

[KelNottAt]

I got my MVP diagnosis about 15 years ago (age 26). I've never had any symptoms that I know of, but from now on I'll pay attention to some wierd "twitches" I get behind my breast once in a while. They're not painful...just a little "pinchy" and kinda remind me of what it's like when my eyelid twiches.

Also, I hate the pre-dentist antibiotic requirement. I think I've forgotten to pre-med about half the time. Doh! They've turned me away so many times you'd think I'd learn.

Kelley

 

[Texan Mouseketeer]

My sister and a man I work with both have it. He had to have a surgery to repair a valve. She has not. Her worst symptoms were when she was pregnant. They advised her not to get pregnant in the first place, but she did anyway. She gained a lot of weight because she would faint every time she exercised too much and then she put more strain on her heart due to the weight! Then, her OBGYN wanted to do a c-section because she felt her heart wouldn't be able to take the strain of labor and her cardiologist wanted her to go through the labor since he didn't feel her heart could take the heavy doses of anethesia! Needless to say, we were all scared when the day came. Problem was, they were paying so much attention to her and her health, they missed that the baby was really premature - miscalculated the due date, her lungs weren't developed and when she was born, ended up with a collapsed lung and a hole in one of them. Was in NICU for 23 days and almost died.
Anyway, I rambled, I know, but after she had her baby, things got a lot better and she eventually got to where she didn't need to take her beta blockers anymore.

 

[floridaminnie]

count me in as one that has this problem also. Just found out this past year after a ton of tests

 

[m&m's mom]

Well the answer to the OP is "I hope not, but I will find out Wed am for sure".
When I went to the Dr. last week for what I thought was a sinus infection turned into an appt for an echocardiogram on Wed.
He was doing his normal exam when he started listening to my chest he stayed there forever and then moved 1/4" over and listed again for a long time. When he finally finished he said "How long have you had this heart murmur?". Got me doc, didn't even know I did.
He did not sound too concerned but scheduled the echo to make sure blood flow is OK.
Good timing on this thread. I had no idea this was so common. Makes me feel better.

 

[Breezy_Carol]

I have it.

I was diagnosed about 25 years ago after my third episode of tachycardia. Haven't had much trouble since.

 

[Kama89]

My symptoms popped up approx. 10 years ago. After countless tests that showed nothing, they determined the episodes, the "clicking" they would occasionally hear, the palpitations, etc were most likely due to MVP. I take a beta blocker to keep the symptoms to a minimum, do the pre med thing for dental procedures, etc. The episodes have diminished over the years, thank God! The only time they really give me trouble any more is when I'm fighting a cold or flu bug.

 

[luvwinnie]

Yep. Diagnosed around age 13. I've had several tachycardia episodes. I get an echo every 2 years. Last one showed slight thickening which really worries me.