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The mitral valve is the heart valve between the left atrium and left ventricle. It has two flaps, or cusps. In mitral valve prolapse (M.V.P.), one or both valve flaps are enlarged and some of their supporting "strings" may be too long. When the heart pumps, the mitral valve flaps do not close evenly. Instead, part of one or both flaps collapses backward into the left atrium. This sometimes allows a small amount of blood to leak backward through the valve and may cause a heart murmur.
Years ago it was thought that this heart condition produced chest pains and other symptoms. Recent studies, however, have shown that adolescents with mitral valve prolapse have no more frequent complaints of chest pain than teens without this condition. Adults with true mitral valve prolapse do experience palpitations more frequently than those without MVP, but most young people with the condition do not have any symptoms. The majority of teens with a mitral valve prolapse have no symptoms, will have no problems and, therefore, needs no treatment. Moreover, the vast majority of teens who complain of chest pain and palpitations have no abnormality of the mitral valve.
Teens and adults with mitral valve prolapse who have significant leaky valves will need antibiotics to prevent infection of the valve before certain surgical or dental procedures likely to cause bleeding. Typically, this involves one or two doses of an antibiotic - at the time of the procedure.
Do you have a question?  As a reminder, this information should not be relied on as medical advice and is not intended to replace the advice of your doctor. Please read our full  .
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