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Palatine Heart Center
523 Old Northwest Highway,
Barrington, IL 60010
Phone (847) 381-1200
Fax (847) 381-1904 |
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Heart Lung Center
360 Station Drive
Crystal Lake, IL 60014
Phone (815) 477-8900
Fax (815) 477-7160 |
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| Mitral valve prolapse |
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| Mitral valve prolapse |
| Mitral valve prolapse (MVP) is a common heart disorder. It occurs when the valve between your heart's left upper chamber (left atrium) and the left lower chamber (left ventricle) does not close properly. When the lower chamber contracts, the valve's leaflets bulge (prolapse) upward or back into the top chamber. |
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| Most people with mitral valve prolapse do not have any symptoms. In some cases however, patients may have palpitations (heart racing, fluttering or pounding) or brief episodes of chest pain. In these situations, certain medications may be prescribed. |
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| A 2D echo with Doppler (heart ultrasound) confirms the diagnosis of mitral valve prolapse. The ultrasound images allow us to evaluate the motion of the valve and whether or not it bulges into the top chamber when it closes. If your doctor hears a certain “click” or murmur sound when listening to your heart, he or she may want you to have an ultrasound test to check for mitral valve prolapse. |
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| In most instances, mitral valve prolapse does not require any treatment. In some people with mitral valve prolapse, however, blood can leak (regurgitate) back into the upper chamber of the heart. If this leakiness (mitral regurgitation) becomes severe, the valve may need to be repaired surgically. Patients with mitral valve prolapse do not require antibiotics prior to dental work or other surgical procedures unless specifically instructed by their physician. |
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