The mitral valve is one of the four valves separating chambers of the heart. Mitral valve
prolapse (MVP) is a common and occasionally serious condition in which the cusp or cusps of
the mitral valve bulge into one of the heart chambers during the heart’s contraction.
This bulging is caused by abnormalities in the valve’s structure. When serious, mitral
valve prolapse may progress to mitral regurgitation, where the incompetent valve can no longer
keep blood from leaking backwards into the wrong chamber of the heart.
Checklist for Mitral Valve
Prolapse
What are the symptoms of mitral valve prolapse?
Most people with MVP experience no symptoms. Some may experience difficulty breathing
during exertion or when lying down, tremor, fatigue, lightheadedness, dizziness, and fainting.
Some develop dull chest pain, palpitations (awareness of the heartbeat), anxiety, and other symptoms associated with the “fight or
flight” response. When MVP causes these symptoms, it is referred to as dysautonomia
syndrome.
Medical treatments
The prescription medications used do not cure mitral valve prolapse, but they can control
symptoms associated with the condition. The
beta-blockers, such as atenolol (Tenormin®), propranolol (Inderal®), and metoprolol (Lopressor®, Toprol XL®); blood thinners,
including aspirin (Bayer Low Adult Strength®, Ecotrin
Adult Low Strength®) and warfarin (Coumadin®);
and antibiotics to prevent infection and inflammation of
the heart’s inner lining may be prescribed.
Serious cases might require surgery to repair the affected heart valve.
Dietary changes that may be helpful
In people who have dysautonomia, low salt intake may be part of the problem. Therefore,
unless there is another health problem (such as high
blood pressure) that is worsened by high salt intake, people with MVP should not restrict
the amount of salt in the diet.1
Lifestyle changes that may be helpful
People with dysautonomia symptoms should avoid stressful situations and should work on
techniques for coping with stress.
Nutritional supplements that may be helpful
Magnesium deficiency has been proposed as one cause of
the symptoms that occur in association with MVP.2 In a study of people with severe
MVP symptoms, blood levels of magnesium were low in 60% of cases. Those people with low
magnesium levels participated in a double-blind trial, in which they received a placebo or
magnesium (500 mg per day for one week, then about 335 mg per day for four weeks). People
receiving magnesium experienced a significant reduction in symptoms of weakness, chest pain,
anxiety, shortness of breath, and
palpitations.3
In one report, deficient levels of L-carnitine were
found in five consecutive people with MVP.4 One of these people was given
L-carnitine (1 gram three times per day for four months) and experienced a complete resolution
of the symptoms associated with MVP.
Are there any side effects or interactions?
Refer to the individual supplement for information about any side effects or interactions.
References
1. Frederickson L. Confronting Mitral Valve Prolapse Syndrome.
New York: Warner Books, 1992.
2. Galland LD, Baker SM, McLellan RK. Magnesium deficiency in the
pathogenesis of mitral valve prolapse. Magnesium 1986;5:165–74.
3. Lichodziejewska B, Klos J, Rezler J, et al. Clinical symptoms of
mitral valve prolapse are related to hypomagnesemia and attenuated by magnesium
supplementation. Am J Cardiol 1997;79:768–72.
4. Trivellato M, de Palo E, Gatti R, et al. Carnitine deficiency as the
possible etiology of idiopathic mitral valve prolapse: case study with speculative annotation.
Texas Heart Inst J 1984;11:370–6.
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purposes only. It is based on scientific studies (human, animal, or in vitro),
clinical experience, or traditional usage as cited in each article. The results reported may
not necessarily occur in all individuals. For many of the conditions discussed, treatment with
prescription or over-the-counter medication is also available. Consult your doctor,
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before making any changes in prescribed medications. Information expires March 2005.
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