Mitral valve prolapse ... Many people have heard such a phrase. However, only a few know what kind of illness lies behind this name. As a rule, these are doctors and patients who have encountered a disease. What is fraught with the phrase - mitral valve prolapse? Symptoms that indicate the presence of an ailment, how are they manifested? Is the disease treated?
Anatomical features
To understand what constitutes mitral valve prolapse, the symptoms that characterize the disease should refer to the physiological structure. So, consider the structure of the heart. In all people, the left ventricle and the left atrium have a mitral valve between them. In its structure there are two wings. During contractions of the heart, they open. Blood saturated with oxygen penetrates the left ventricle. When the latter contracts, the flow is directed into a large circle of blood circulation. Thus, all tissues are saturated with oxygen, as well as nutrients.
The main function of the mitral valve is to prevent re-reflux of blood into the cavity of the atrium from the ventricle. In a healthy state, he does an excellent job. The valve, which is distinguished by strength and density, closes perfectly.
And now consider the above pathology. By the way, the word "prolapse" in the literal translation means "sagging". Thus, the essence of the disease lies in the extension of the mitral valve. Therefore, it is not able to close tightly. The work of the heart muscle is disturbed. Mitral valve prolapse is distinguished by symptoms associated with repeated reflux of blood from the ventricle back to the atrium. In medicine, this pathology is called regurgitation.
The causes of the disease
If we consider the disease from the point of view of the sources that provoked the disease, then distinguish:
- congenital (non-hazardous);
- acquired (developed as a result of other diseases).
In most cases, it is from birth that the mitral valve leaf prolapse is diagnosed. The disease often proceeds favorably. Doctors attribute this pathology to the characteristics of the body rather than to ailments. It is based on a congenital structural disorder. In connection with it, weakening of connective tissue is noted. This pathology, as a rule, is inherited by the child. As a result of tissue weakness, under strong blood pressure, weak cusps do not close tightly. They protrude. This symptom of the disease does not differ in special symptoms. And most often does not need special treatment.
Much less frequently, mitral valve prolapse occurs as a result of heart disease.
As a rule, an ailment develops against the background of:
- Rheumatism This pathology is more common in children. Its occurrence is due to the inflammatory process of the connective tissue, which makes up the cusps and chords. The onset of the disease is preceded by scarlet fever or tonsillitis. After 2 weeks, the baby has an attack of rheumatism. The child is tormented by pain, inflammation of large joints, their stiffness.
- Heart ischemia. As a rule, such a source is associated with elderly people. Since the development of mitral valve prolapse is preceded by either cardiac ischemia or myocardial infarction. Poor blood supply, and sometimes rupture of the chords, cause weakness, shortness of breath. The above symptoms are accompanied by pain in the region of the heart. Examination reveals prolapse.
- Sternal injuries. Various mechanical damage can cause chords to break. This pathology is characterized by a rather unfavorable course. This species especially needs timely treatment.
Depending on the cause of the mitral valve prolapse, the symptoms and treatment differ significantly. Therefore, it is advisable to consider each separately.
Symptoms of Congenital Illness
Often in children, vegetovascular dystonia (VVD) joins mitral valve prolapse . Doctors say that all the symptoms are simply “attributed” to such an ailment as mitral valve prolapse. Symptoms in children are caused by VVD.
Consider them:
- Intermittent pain in the area of the heart. Such symptoms are functional in nature. It is not a sign of a malfunction in the heart. Pain is caused by a disorder in the functioning of the nervous system. The emergence of this sign is preceded by emotional stress, stress. Sometimes they can occur even in a state of complete rest. Pain may vary in manifestation. From light tingling to a constant aching form. Discomfort can last a few seconds or stretch for several days. It is important to remember that the painful sensation in the region of the heart, provoked by mitral valve prolapse, never intensifies with physical exertion. He is not accompanied by shortness of breath, dizziness, fainting. If you observe this symptom against a background of heart pain, you should definitely consult a doctor. We can talk about serious ailments.
- Heart palpitations. These attacks can alternate with a sharp "fading" of the main "motor" of the body. Such symptoms are also explained by a violation in the nervous system. Here we are talking about increased activity. Attacks occur completely suddenly and pass in the same way. The main thing is to remember that with our ailment they do not combine with loss of consciousness, dizziness.
- Fainting. This symptomatology is practically not found. It is rarely associated with prolapse. As a rule, they can cause stuffiness in the room or emotions (fear). They pass easily and quickly. There is enough inflow of fresh air or a slight pat.
Is congenital disease dangerous?
Only an experienced specialist can assess the severity of an ailment based on diagnosis, medical history. For children called up for military service, the question of whether mitral valve prolapse is dangerous or not is quite relevant. The army will call the boys with this disease in their ranks or not?
Unfortunately, there is no definite answer. The symptoms that the disease causes should be considered. If the disease does not have pronounced signs, does not need special treatment, then, as previously noted, such a pathology is attributed to the characteristics of the body.
Another common anxiety appears during pregnancy. But is mitral valve prolapse dangerous in this state? Symptoms in women almost never lead to the development of complications. However, if a pregnant woman is diagnosed with a congenital ailment, the observing doctor must be notified. As a rule, the gynecologist directs the patient for an additional examination to the cardiologist.
Symptoms of an acquired ailment
A number of disorders of the heart, as previously agreed, can lead to the development of the disease. If the transferred tonsillitis, scarlet fever became the source that provoked mitral valve prolapse, the symptoms in adolescents and children will be as follows:
- fatigue;
- passivity, refusal of any vigorous activity;
- weakness;
- the occurrence of shortness of breath after physical exertion;
- dizziness;
- palpitations.
If the ailment is diagnosed in a person aged having angina or cardiac ischemia, then the symptoms are as follows:
- bouts of severe pain in the region of the heart (taking "nitroglycerin" eliminates an unpleasant sensation);
- shortness of breath, occurring even with little physical exertion;
- "Failure" of the heart, periodic "freezing" of the organ.
The rarest case is the development of an ailment as a result of a sternal injury. In this case, the disease acquires the following symptoms:
- palpitations, interruptions in work;
- state of weakness;
- shortness of breath after any exertion, sometimes even at rest;
- the appearance of a cough with foamy sputum of a pink hue.
If the last symptom occurs, the patient should immediately call an ambulance. The occurrence of an unpleasant cough and sputum is the most serious, if we talk about mitral valve prolapse resulting from an injury, symptoms. Is it possible to die from an illness? Unfortunately, with this symptomatology, any delay can result in death.
Degrees of disease
In most cases, a congenital ailment is detected by ultrasound of the heart. And often, quite by accident. Since the symptoms of patients do not torment at all. Ultrasound is the most effective method of examination for this ailment. Indeed, along with the confirmation of the diagnosis, such a study determines the degree of the disease. In addition, an ultrasound gives information about regurgitation.
In medicine, the following categories of ailment are distinguished:
- 1 degree. This form is characterized by a slight bulging of the valve cusps. The magnitude of such a pathology varies up to 5 mm.
- Mitral valve prolapse, grade 2. With this form, a much larger swelling is diagnosed. This type is characterized by a size of up to 9 mm.
- Ailment of 3 degrees. Heavier form. With it, bulging is noted from 10 mm or more.
However, such a division does not at all reflect regurgitation. Therefore, this classification is not very popular in modern diagnostics. A more important indicator is the degree of valve insufficiency. It characterizes the volume of blood that, as a result of incomplete closure, enters the atrial cavity. This indicator clearly shows ultrasound.
Types of disease
There is no single method for classifying this ailment in medicine. There are several divisions.
At the place of protrusion (prolapse) of the valves there is the following division:
- Prolapse of the anterior mitral valve leaflet. This pathology is considered the most common, since it is diagnosed in most cases.
- Protrusion of a back shutter. This species is extremely rare.
- Prolapse of both wings.
Disease and sports
Are physical exertion permissible in this diagnosis? It should be remembered that the heart is a muscle. That is why moderate loads are useful if the patient does not have pronounced symptoms of mitral valve prolapse. Sports are recommended as follows: jogging, walking, swimming, cycling.
In this case, one should not forget that any pathology of the heart increases the chance of arrhythmia.
Military service
Military service is considered quite compatible with such an ailment as mitral valve prolapse. The army will call such patients into its ranks. However, not all. There are certain exceptions. If the patient is diagnosed with mitral valve prolapse of degree 2 with regurgitation of stage 2, this is sufficient reason for the recruit to be considered unfit for service.
The army order also contains an article on “rheumatism”. In this case, we are not talking about the disease itself, but about the consequences provoked by it. By the way, some of them may be completely unrelated to prolapse. Sometimes they are an independent state.
It is very important to understand that the degree of prolapse does not sound in the order. Only a functional state is mentioned. However, a conscript who is diagnosed with grade 2 mitral valve prolapse, with impaired conduction, arrhythmia may be unsuitable for service.
Congenital illness treatment
Since they are practically not detected if congenital mitral valve prolapse is diagnosed, symptoms, treatment, respectively, are not prescribed. In case of detecting disturbing signs, such as insomnia, headaches, a sedative is recommended. As a rule, the drug Novo-Passit, valerian is prescribed. Such funds created on herbs perfectly normalize the activity of the nervous system. Thus contribute to the elimination of unpleasant symptoms.
Often recommended to receive means "Magnesium B6", "Magnerot." Such drugs have a calming effect on the body. Therefore, the effect of their administration is the same as described above.
A more serious treatment requires an ailment, accompanied by severe changes in the work of the heart. The patient may experience weakness, shortness of breath, bouts of pain. As a rule, in this case, an ultrasound confirms the pathology, revealing significant regurgitation. A cardiologist introduces drugs into the treatment, the action of which is aimed at normalizing the heart rhythm. However, it is important to understand that only a doctor is able to choose the right therapy based on purely individual characteristics of the disease.
Treatment for Acquired Disease
The tactics of combating an ailment depend on many factors. For the effectiveness of treatment, the degree of the disease is taken into account, the prolapse of the anterior mitral valve leaflet, the posterior or both, is diagnosed. Another indicator for the selection of complex therapy is very important - the volume of regurgitation.
Treatment of a non-congenital form of prolapse depends on the source that triggered the ailment. If the cause of the disease is scarlet fever or tonsillitis, then antibiotics are prescribed to the patient.
The ailment that arose against the background of ischemia needs a slightly different approach. In this case, a treatment is selected that can normalize the blood supply to the heart, reduce blood pressure.
If mitral valve prolapse is diagnosed after an injury, heart surgery is often the only way out. As soon as the patient's condition is normalized with medication, surgery is recommended. The operation allows you to restore normal valve operation.
Prevention of ailment
It is very important to start from childhood to protect the body from unpleasant consequences. Regardless of how pronounced the symptoms of mitral valve prolapse are in the diagnosis, prophylaxis is based on therapeutic procedures and moderate physical exertion.
It is very important to treat all diseases on time. The body should be protected from chronic foci of infection. This applies to carious teeth, tonsillitis. According to indications, removal of tonsils may be recommended. It is equally important to avoid or treat colds on time.
Teenagers and children are required to be registered with a doctor. They are advised to undergo a medical examination regularly.
Subject to these measures, patients are not at all disturbed by the symptoms characterizing mitral valve prolapse. Reviews of people who have been diagnosed with an ailment make it possible to verify this. As a rule, unpleasant discomfort causes VSD. And prolapse absolutely does not interfere with a normal life.
Conclusion
Very rarely, serious complications arise in the body that provoked mitral valve prolapse. Symptoms of the disease in most cases are completely absent. Nevertheless, one should not forget about it. The best way to protect the body from unpleasant consequences is a healthy lifestyle.