Is mitral valve prolapse serious?
Owen Barnes
Updated on February 21, 2026
Is mitral valve prolapse serious?
Mitral valve prolapse is a common cause of a heart murmur caused by a “leaky” heart valve. Most cases of mitral valve prolapse are not serious and only need to be monitored. Mitral valve prolapse is associated with many other symptoms and conditions.
When should I worry about mitral valve prolapse?
In most cases, mitral valve prolapse is not serious or life-threatening. Many people who have the condition experience no symptoms at all. However, the condition may get worse over time and cause symptoms to develop. Anyone who feels any sharp chest pain should speak to a doctor about it.
What happens if mitral valve prolapse goes untreated?
Left untreated, severe mitral valve regurgitation can cause heart failure or heart rhythm problems (arrhythmias). Even people without symptoms may need to be evaluated by a cardiologist and surgeon trained in mitral valve disease to determine whether early intervention may be beneficial.
Can mitral valve prolapse be cured?
In most cases, you won’t need any treatment for mitral valve prolapse. However, if you have noticeable symptoms, your doctor might choose to treat your condition. Treatment often involves taking medications to help relieve any symptoms you’re experiencing.
How can I strengthen my heart valve naturally?
7 powerful ways you can strengthen your heart
- Get moving. Your heart is a muscle and, as with any muscle, exercise is what strengthens it.
- Quit smoking. Quitting smoking is tough.
- Lose weight. Losing weight is more than just diet and exercise.
- Eat heart-healthy foods.
- Don’t forget the chocolate.
- Don’t overeat.
- Don’t stress.
Does mitral valve prolapse shorten life?
MVP usually does not need to be treated because it is rarely a serious condition and it does not damage the heart. People with heart rhythm changes may need to be treated with medicines to control tachycardias (fast heart rhythms). MVP is usually harmless and does not shorten life expectancy.
What should I avoid if I have mitral valve prolapse?
Limit your consumption of sodium, saturated and trans fats, added sugars, and alcohol. And load up on veggies, fruits, whole grains, lean meats, fish, legumes, and vegetable oils. These are the foundation of what’s often referred to as a “heart-healthy diet.”
How long can you live with mitral valve prolapse?
In developing countries, it progresses much more rapidly and may lead to symptoms in children less than 5 years of age. Around 80% of patients with mild symptoms live for at least 10 years after diagnosis. In 60% of these patients, the disease may not progress at all.
What is life expectancy after mitral valve replacement?
Median survival after MV ‐repair was 7.8 years, close to 8.5 years (95% CI : 8.2–9.4) in the age‐matched UK population (ratio 0.9). Rate of re‐operation for MV ‐dysfunction was 2.3% versus 2.5% (mitral valve replacement, P=1.0).
Which fruit is best for heart?
Strawberries, blueberries, blackberries and raspberries are jam-packed with important nutrients that play a central role in heart health. Berries are also rich in antioxidants like anthocyanins, which protect against the oxidative stress and inflammation that contribute to the development of heart disease ( 12 ).
What are the complications of mitral valve prolapse (MVP)?
In severe cases of classic MVP, complications include mitral regurgitation, infective endocarditis, congestive heart failure, and, in rare circumstances, cardiac arrest. The diagnosis of MVP depends upon echocardiography, which uses ultrasound to visualize the mitral valve.
What is mitral valve prolapse (click-murmur syndrome)?
Another name for mitral valve prolapse is click-murmur syndrome. When a doctor listens to your heart using a stethoscope, he or she may hear a clicking sound as the valve’s leaflets billow back, followed by a whooshing sound (murmur) resulting from blood flowing back into the atrium.
What is the difference between mitral stenosis and mitral valve prolapse?
In mitral valve stenosis, the mitral valve is stiff and constricted. In mitral valve prolapse, the valve slips backward due to the abnormal size of or damage to the mitral valve tissues. For most people with mitral valve prolapse, the cause is unknown.
Which blood thinners are used to treat mitral valve prolapse?
Those with mitral valve prolapse and symptoms of dysautonomia (palpitations, chest pain) may benefit from beta-blockers (e.g., propranolol). Patients with prior stroke and/or atrial fibrillation may require blood thinners, such as aspirin or warfarin.