Freelance Writing Jobs | Today's Articles | Sign In

Treatments for MVP the Common Heart Murmur

Treating Mitral Valve Prolapse

Jul 23, 2009 Jim Lowrance

There are a number of treatments that can be effective in treating symptoms of Mitral Valve Prolapse in symptomatic patients or what is referred to as "MVP-Syndrome".

In the article Mitral Valve Prolapse in Thyroid Patients you’ll find a description of the manifestations and symptoms of MVP-Syndrome. In this article, treatments for this common heart murmur that affects an estimated 15 million Americans will be addressed.

When Symptoms of MVP Merit Treatment

For most people, MVP does not cause noticeable symptoms but for others, they experience varied degrees of symptoms that can affect them significantly. Some people with symptoms (MVP-Syndrome) for example, experience spells of rapid heart rate or “tachycardia”. Others experience anxiety symptoms including panic attacks for which MVP is well-known. Yet others experience dizziness, especially upon standing up from a seated or lying-down position (orthostatic hypotension - dysautonomia), fatigue and exercise intolerance. In these cases, administering treatments may help to relieve these concerning symptoms.

Magnesium Supplementation

Studies of people with MVP have revealed that they are often low in a mineral that has a great deal to do with healthy heart function, called “magnesium”. When this essential element in the body becomes low or is at sub-normal levels, it can contribute to mild arrhythmias such as tachycardia, skipped beats, flip-flops and flutters. Taking a safe supplementation-dose of magnesium as overseen by a medical professional, may help to control these symptoms and also contribute to overall better heart-health. To determine if an MVP patient is low in magnesium, a qualified doctor would first need to order mineral analysis tests, by blood or hair sample.

Symptomatic MVP and low Serum Magnesium – PubMed/NIH

Beta-blocker Medications

Beta-adrenergic blocking agents or “beta-blockers” are medications that control blood pressure irregularities, especially hypertension (high blood pressure) which can also be a co-occurring symptom of MVP-Syndrome. It can also help to regulate blood pressure changes that MVP patients can experience with positional changes of their body or their “postural blood pressure”. In addition to this, the medication can help reduce spells of tachycardia and diminish the effects of anxiety and panic symptoms that are experienced, by blocking some of the effects of adrenaline that tends to be overactive in MVP patients.

Mitral Valve Prolapse and Panic Disorder – PubMed/NIH

Low Stimulant Diet and Exercise

MVP patients need to reduce or completely eliminate the amount of stimulants in their diets. These would be things including alcohol, caffeine, and refined sugar (added sugar not occurring naturally in foods). Elimination of these can help control symptoms of anxiety and arrhythmias and help keep stress-levels down which can also contribute to symptoms of MVP-Syndrome. Stress, in fact is also a stimulant that needs to be reduced as much as possible due to its effect in also contributing-to and aggravating symptoms in MVP patients. MVP patients should also remain well-hydrated, meaning they should drink plenty of water which helps to keep blood volume at the correct level. If there is not adequate water intake, blood volume can drop, causing a condition called “hypovolemia”, which can contribute to symptoms of fatigue and dizziness.

Regular exercise at a safe pace and at a well-tolerated level can also reduce stress and help to keep the involuntary nervous system better balanced in regulating blood pressure and heart function. Exercise has also been found in research studies to help reduce anxiety and depression levels, as well as medications that are also designed for this. Should an MVP patient also need the help of an anti-anxiety or antidepressant medication or emotional therapies these should also be considerations in helping them to cope with symptoms and to regain a better quality-of-life.

Surgery for Mitral Valve Regurgitation

If, there is backflow of blood from the Mitral Valve (leakage), it is referred to as “regurgitation” or “mitral incompetence” and if it becomes severe, it can cause serious heart arrhythmias and potential heart failure. As many as 20% of people age 55 and over, experience mild to moderate mitral regurgitation, with more severe cases of the condition being rare. The additional symptoms of mitral regurgitation include increased coughing, shortness of breath with mild exertion, swelling of the feet and ankles and excessive urinating.

If it is determined that a case of mitral regurgitation places a patient as risk for heart failure or other serious complications, surgery may be recommended to repair or replace the insufficient valve.

The copyright of the article Treatments for MVP the Common Heart Murmur in General Medicine is owned by Jim Lowrance. Permission to republish Treatments for MVP the Common Heart Murmur in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

Heart Vessels