Mitral Valve Prolapse?

[momw/ic]

I have been having weird symptoms for about 5 months now and seriously thought I might have chronic fatigue syndrome. Anyway, tonight the symptoms were worse and my heart felt like it was going to race out of my chest and I was lying in bed! Then it began to flutter like it was vibrating instead of beating and I felt like I needed to take a huge breath of air. So...I got up and put my symptoms into the internet and Mitral Valve Prolapse came up. Do any of you have this? Is it common to have with IC? Any info would be greatly appreciated! Thanks.

[Ginny]

If you go to the IC Handbook page it tells you that Mitral Value Prolapse is common in people with IC. I have this along with many other autoimmune illnesses. I do get rapid heart beats which I take medication for. My cardo does not believe it is coming from the MVP.
Ginny

[ICNDonna]

Mitral valve prolapse is not uncommon in the general population. However, that said, I do think you need to see your doctor. I would call his office today to arrange for an appointment.

Sending healing thoughts,
Donna

[Mimi-in-Chicagoland]

There are other heart conditions that cause heart palpitations. You should see a cardiologist for tests. An echocardiogram will be able to tell you if you have mitral valve prolapse. It used to be overly diagnosed...now you must have a reflux of blood up the valve before you're diagnosed, not just a click. I was erroneously diagnosed with this--and it cost me more on my life insurance. Another cardiologist checked me and did the echo himself and I do not even have a click. The guidelines for diagnosis have changed in the past few years...I was able to have my life insurance policy changed and saved some money. I do have a heart condition with low blood pressure and high pulse. I went to several cardiologists...a lot of cardiologists have trouble diagnosing rapid heart rates and flutters. If you have trouble with a cardiologist, try an electrophysiologist. They specialize in the electrical activity of the heart, not heart disease or valves. I have seen lots of cardiologists and have been on lots of meds. If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to PM me. The majority of the heart conditions that cause flutters or high pulses are not serious, just annoying. They still need to be checked out--like everything else in medical life.

[Ginny]

There are also other conditions not just heart that could cause these symptoms. I believe thyroid problems can give you rapid heart beat. Check into it.
Ginny

[Silverfox]

Hi,

Here are some web sites that talk about the causes of mitral valve prolapse

www.ndrf.org National Dysautonomia Research Foundation (autonomic nerve damage)

www.mvprolapse.com This is a site that talks about the causes of Mitral Valve Prolapse Dysautonomia

Also check out this page at www.mvprolapse.com/article_seven.html

Ask the Dr. about your symptoms.

Take care and let us know how you are doing.
Silver

[carly]

I have that also, and aortic regurg. I do not think it is related to the IC. I had never heard that before. I do have another auto-immune disease, asthma. The fluttering can be quite anoying. Good Luck!

[ICNDonna]

I should add that it can be very important to have an accurate diagnosis. If you do have mitral valve prolapse, you need to be aware that you need antibiotics before having dental work done, you may need to avoid such things as using toothpicks, etc.

Sending healing thoughts,
Donna

[Judith]

I have MVP that was diagnosed years ago by echocardiogram. I have to take antibiotics before dental procedures and surgeries. I don't really notice any symptoms from it, my doc heard a niosew and wanted to check out what it was, so that is how I found out. Judith

[skershner3]

I was diagnosed with Mitral Valve Prolapse several years ago and have been taking Atenolol which helps to slow my pulse rate down. My pulse with be over 100 resting (that means if you check it after being at rest for over 10 minutes). I would fly, being as high as 160 beats per minute or higher for no apparent reason, skipping beats, fluttering, etc., a trip to the cardiologist and a echocardiogram confirmed the MVP with regurgitation. My cardiologist told me that MVP was actually a rather common problem among women. It can cause you to be very tired as well as experience shortness of breath too. You have to take antibiotics before any dental work as others have stated. Your family physician can refer you to a cardiologist to have this checked out. MVP is more scary when it happens and bothersome than anything else in my opinion. Susan

[Mimi-in-Chicagoland]

If you have MVP that was diagnosed more than 5-7 years ago that did not include regurgitation...you might want to consider a second opinion. The definition of MVP has changed in the past few years. I was diagnosed with MVP in 1995. In 2001 I was retested and the electrophysiologist that performed the echocardiogram confirmed that I do NOT have MVP. This made my life insurance fees go down...AND I don't have to take antibiotics which I really don't need.

[Mimi-in-Chicagoland]

Y'all aren't going to believe this....

I went back for an echo last week to check on my new patch for the hole in my heart...which looks just fine. I asked the tech if he could see my mitral valve while he was looking around. He said yes and that I HAD MITRAL VALVE PROLAPSE!!! :yikes: After being told before that I did, then didn't, now I do. Not that its going to make a big difference for me. Since I have a piece of gortex in my heart I have to take antibiotics for dental cleanings and surgery anyway.