Mitral valve prolapse is a type of myxomatous valve disease. The tissue of the mitral valve leaflets and chordae are abnormally stretchy, so that as the heart beats, the mitral valve bows or flops back into the left atrium.
- Those with mitral valve prolapse may not have any regurgitation (leaky valve) or they may have a range of severity from a mild leak to a very floppy, leaky valve.
- The majority of people have no leak or a mild leak. In this case, MVP is not a cause for concern. A small percentage of people with mitral valve prolapse have severe MVP, requiring further treatment.
- Mitral valve prolapse is very common, affecting about three to five percent of the population.
- Females are affected twice as often as males.
- Mitral valve prolapse can be seen in children, teens, and adults.
In about 10 to 15 percent of people with MVP, further treatment is needed. In this case, valve surgery will be performed to repair the mitral valve. Learn more about valve surgery.
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