Mitral Valve Prolapse

Mitral Valve Prolapse Research Paper

Mitral valve prolapse is a lifelong disorder in which many people with this condition never have symptoms. When diagnosed, individuals may be surprised to learn that they have a heart condition. Although most people with mitral valve prolapse never have problems, complications can occur and usually tend to occur in middle-aged or older adults. I have been living with mitral valve prolapse for over 10 years and I am currently faced with the decision to continue treatment with medication or have surgery to replace my mitral valve. Although I have lived with this condition for several years, I have increased interested in this condition now that I am faced with a possible valve replacement. In my research project, I propose to investigate Mitral Valve Prolapse and the complications associated with this illness. In my research project I intend to investigate the following areas: The cause of mitral valve prolapse, signs and symptoms, how mitral valve prolapse is diagnosed and the treatment of the diagnosis.

“The mitral valve is a valve that lets blood flow from one chamber of the heart, the left atrium, to another called the ventricle” (Heart Health Center: Mitral Vaulve Prolapse). In mitral valve prolapse, part of the mitral valve slips backward loosely into the chamber called the left atrium. This happens when the main heart muscle, called the left ventricle, squeezes during each heartbeat (Heart Health Center: Mitral Vaulve Prolapse) When prolapse occurs, the valve slips backward due to the abnormal size of or damage to the mitral valve tissues and in some cases, the prolapsed valve lets a small amount of blood leak the wrong way through the” floppy” valve. Another name for mitral valve prolapse is “click-murmur syndrome, Barlow’s syndrome, floppy valve syndrome, and Ballooning mitral valve syndrome. (Mitral Vaulve Prolapse).

“For most individuals with mitral valve prolapse, the cause is unknown” (Problem: Mitral Vaulve...