Ailments & Conditions

Facts You Need to Know about Mitral Valve Prolapse

Symptoms and Diagnosis of Mitral Valve Prolapse

Mitral valve prolapse is often asymptotic. Therefore, most individuals with this condition tend to be unaware of their heart issues. When symptoms occur, they tend to be mild, such as shortness of breath during exercise, tiredness, fatigue, dizziness, or cough. The onset of these signs is often gradual and slow instead of sudden. In some cases, you would have chest pain, recurring headaches, or migraines that lead to nausea. The heartbeat can also become irregular or faster. [4]

To diagnose mitral valve prolapse, a doctor first needs to listen to the heart with a stethoscope. It may detect any clicking sounds that may be caused by the condition. Other tests, such as echocardiogram and X-ray, can also be done. Both procedures can provide detailed pictures of the heart. Based on the information, the doctor may find out possible signs of regurgitation or mitral valve prolapse. In some cases, you need to go through cardiac catheterization. During this procedure, the doctor injects a dye into your heart’s arteries to show images on X-rays. [5]