Mitral Valve Prolapse

Exams and Tests

Since most people with mitral valve prolapse (MVP) do not have symptoms, MVP is usually discovered during a routine health exam.

In some women who are only mildly affected by MVP, the condition may become undetectable after middle age.

Medical history and physical exam

Your doctor may suspect MVP if he or she hears a click or murmur while listening to your heartbeat. MVP may be discovered if you have a test called an echocardiogram that is done for another reason.

If your doctor thinks you may have MVP, he or she will ask if you have a family history of MVP or heart disease and will conduct a physical exam to look for MVP. During the exam, he or she will listen closely to your heart.

To confirm the diagnosis, your doctor may request an echocardiogram if you haven't already had one. Your doctor may also evaluate you for other heart conditions.

Echocardiogram

An echocardiogram is the most useful test for confirming that you have mitral valve prolapse. It is also useful to rule out MVP. However, echocardiograms require careful review by an experienced doctor because MVP is difficult to detect with this test. Some people who have MVP will have a normal echocardiogram.⁴ An echocardiogram is not needed if you do not have symptoms or complications of MVP.

Having a yearly echocardiogram is important if you have severe mitral valve regurgitation or other complications.⁵

Generally, echocardiograms can show:

• The size and function of the left heart chambers (left atrium and ventricle).
• Bulging (prolapse) of the mitral valve flaps into the left upper chamber (left atrium) of the heart.
• Severe prolapse and thickened or misshapen flaps.
• Mitral regurgitation (backflow) of blood through the prolapsed valve.

Early detection and regular exams

Screening for MVP is not recommended or necessary. After MVP is diagnosed, the frequency of regular exams is based on whether you have mitral valve regurgitation or thickened valve flaps (leaflets).

If you don't have symptoms or significant mitral valve regurgitation, you will only need an exam every 3 to 5 years.⁶

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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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