Other conditions with symptoms similar to mitral valve prolapse
Other conditions may cause symptoms similar to mitral valve prolapse.
Abnormal heart sounds that are heard through a stethoscope may be caused by:
- Conditions associated with the other heart valves (the aortic valve, pulmonic valve, or tricuspid valve).
- Rubbing between the heart and the sac (pericardium) around the heart.
- Hardening (calcification) of the mitral valve.
- Other causes of mitral valve leakage.
Chest pain may be caused by:
- Angina or heart attack caused by a decrease or lack of blood flow to the muscles of the heart.
- Injury to muscles, ligaments, or bones in the chest wall.
- Heartburn related to backflow of stomach acid into the tube (esophagus) from the mouth to the stomach (gastroesophageal reflux).
- Indigestion or stomach ulcers.
- Inflammation of the tissues surrounding the lungs (pleurisy) or the tissues surrounding the heart (pericarditis).
- Anxiety or panic attack.
Irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia) or pounding and racing of the heart (palpitations) may be caused by:
- Too much caffeine.
- Emotional stress.
- Irregularities in the heart rhythm.
- Heart disease related to not having enough blood flow to the muscles of the heart (ischemic heart disease).
- Heart defects present since birth (congenital defects).
- Abnormalities of the electrical system of the heart, such as Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome.
- Scar tissue on the heart muscle from injury, infection, or other disease.
- Overactive thyroid gland (hyperthyroidism).
- An imbalance in the chemicals within the bloodstream.
Shortness of breath may be caused by:
- Asthma.
- Chronic lung disease.
- Being out of shape.
- A blockage of blood flow in the lungs (pulmonary emboli).
Fainting may be caused by:
- Inadequate blood volume due to dehydration.
- Arrhythmia.
| Author: | Robin Parks, MS | Last Updated: February 20, 2007 |
| Medical Review: | Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine Stephen Fort, MD, MRCP, FRCPC - Interventional Cardiology | |
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