What Is Mitral Valve Prolapse?

“Most people with mitral valve prolapse do not notice any symptoms,” said George Petrossian, MD, Catholic Health Cardiologist, Director of Interventional Cardiovascular Procedures and Co-Director of the Heart Valve Center at St. Francis Hospital & Heart Center®. “Symptoms also differ from person to person. Keeping up with your annual exams and talking to your doctor if you are not feeling well can help to diagnose mitral valve prolapse before the condition worsens.”

What is mitral valve prolapse?

Mitral valve prolapse is a heart condition that affects how blood flows through the heart. In a normal heart, blood moves in one direction from the heart's upper chambers to the lower chambers through the mitral valve. For most people, that valve closes securely.

With mitral valve prolapse, the leaflets may not close properly with each heartbeat. In some people with mitral valve prolapse, the abnormal valve allows blood to leak backward. Physicians call this mitral valve regurgitation.

What causes mitral valve prolapse?

“The cause of mitral valve prolapse is unknown, but genetics could play a role, and it can be inherited,” said Dr. Petrossian. “Occasionally, this condition occurs with other health problems, such as connective tissue diseases."

What are the symptoms of mitral valve prolapse?

Symptoms may include:

• Abnormal heartbeat
• Chest pain
• Dizziness
• Fatigue
• Shortness of breath

How is mitral valve prolapse diagnosed?

During a regular checkup, your doctor may hear a murmur or clicking sound when listening to your heart. They will perform a physical exam and order tests to determine if you have mitral valve prolapse. This testing may include:

• Chest X-ray
• Echocardiogram
• Electrocardiogram (ECG)
• Stress test

What are the risks associated with mitral valve prolapse?

“Over time, mitral valve prolapse can develop into mitral valve regurgitation, which we also call a leaky valve,” said Dr. Petrossian. “The heart works harder to pump blood when it has to pump more blood.”

He explained that in some cases, mitral valve regurgitation increases the risk of developing endocarditis (a bacterial infection in your heart), heart failure, heart attack, an abnormal heart rhythm or sudden cardiac arrest.

What are the treatments for mitral valve prolapse?

“Your cardiologist may recommend medication or a surgical/catheter-based procedure,” said Dr. Petrossian.

Transcatheter Mitral Valve Repair (TMVr) is a minimally invasive, catheter-based procedure that treats mitral regurgitation using a MitraClip. 

“TMVr is an effective, safe treatment option for patients who are too high risk for surgery,” said Dr. Petrossian.

Catholic Health’s St. Francis Hospital & Heart Center® in Roslyn, NY, was the first hospital on Long Island to implant MitraClips.

Find Care at Catholic Health

Catholic Health's St. Francis Heart Center offers advanced diagnostics and treatment at our heart valve centers in Nassau and Suffolk counties. 

St. Francis Hospital & Heart Center® (Roslyn, NY)

St. Francis Heart Center at Good Samaritan University Hospital (West Islip, NY)