Mitral valve prolapse is a heart problem in which the valve that separates the left upper and lower chambers of the heart does not open and close properly.

The heart's mitral valve helps blood on the left side of the heart flow in one direction. It closes to keep blood from moving backwards when the heart beats (contracts).

If the valve does not open and close properly it is called mitral valve prolapse. It can be caused by many different things. In most cases, it is harmless and patients usually do not know they have the problem. In a small number of cases, it can cause blood to leak backwards (severe mitral regurgitation). This needs to be treated with surgery.

Some forms of mitral valve prolapse seem to be passed down through families (inherited). Mitral valve prolapse has been associated with Marfan syndrome (a disorder present from birth) and Graves disease.

Many people with mitral valve prolapse are thin women who may have minor chest wall deformities, scoliosis, or other disorders.

Some people with mitral valve prolapse may also have a hole in their heart called an atrial septal defect.

• Sensation of feeling the heart beat (palpitations)
• Chest pain (not caused by coronary artery disease or a heart attack)
• Hard to breath after activity
• Fatigue
• Cough
• Shortness of breath when lying flat (orthopnea)

The doctor will perform a physical exam and use a stethoscope to listen to your heart and lungs. The doctor may feel a thrill (vibration) over the heart, and hear a heart murmur ("mid-systolic click"). The murmur gets louder when you stand up.

Blood pressure is usually normal.

The following tests may be used to diagnose mitral valve prolapse pr a leaky mitral valve:

• Echocardiogram
• Color-flow Doppler examination
• Cardiac catheterization
• Chest x-ray
• ECG (may show arrhythmias such as atrial fibrillation)
• Chest MRI
• CT scan of the chest