Mitral Valve Prolapse - Living With Mitral Valve Prolapse - Living With

Most people who have mitral valve prolapse (MVP) have no symptoms or related problems, do not need treatment, and are able to lead normal, active lives. If symptoms and complications do occur, most often you can control them with medicines. However, some people may need transcatheter valve therapy or heart valve surgery to relieve their symptoms and prevent complications. Rarely, mitral valve prolapse can cause arrhythmias and other problems.

Ongoing Care

If you have MVP, ongoing care is important. Ask your doctor how often you should schedule follow-up visits. See your doctor if your symptoms worsen. You should talk to your doctor about:

Medicines

Take all of your medicines as your doctor prescribes, including blood-thinning and high blood pressure medicines. Also, avoid taking birth control pills because they can raise your risk for blood clots.

Heart-Healthy Lifestyle Changes

Make heart-healthy lifestyle changes such as: