The mitral valve is located on the border between the left atrium and ventricle. At the time of contraction of the heart, it closes the hole and does not allow blood to enter the cavity. But sometimes the valve flaps become fragile and bend into the atrium. This is a fairly common phenomenon, which is often found only by chance examination and is called "mitral valve prolapse." The reasons for the formation of this pathology and its clinical manifestations will be discussed today.
Degrees of mitral valve prolapse
Depending on how much the mitral valve sags , the prolapse there are three degrees (from the easiest - the first, to the pronounced - the third). True, in addition to the deflection of the valves, their divergence is also possible. Then a gap forms between them, into which blood penetrates, and this, of course, causes its reverse current (regurgitation).
Mitral valve: prolapse. Clinical manifestations
The reasons for the formation of this pathology can be both congenital and acquired, developed against the background of other heart diseases. And despite the benignness of this condition, a large number of those with this pathology develop
pulmonary hypertension, expressed to one degree or another.
- In addition, low blood pressure is often found in patients.
- There is also a predisposition of such patients to frequent colds and tonsillitis.
- Dysplasia of the connective tissue, the manifestation of which is mainly prolapse, can be expressed in parallel with it in the form of flat feet, tall, asthenic physique, impaired posture and poor muscle development.
- Often, patients with MVP talk about periods of sadness, boredom, melancholy or gloom, which in the evening develop into irritability.
Symptoms of prolapse
Despite the fact that basically this pathology is asymptomatic, in half of patients with MVP pain is observed in the region of the heart. They are both short-term and long-term (several hours). By the way, these pain sensations occur both at rest and at the time of an emotional outburst, therefore, it is often not possible to connect their occurrence with a provoking factor.
A poorly functioning mitral valve, the prolapse of which is considered, can also cause a feeling of lack of air, in which you want to take a deep breath. At the same time, headaches, dizziness, and even fainting are frequent.
Mitral valve prolapse: physical activity allowed
It is very important for a patient with severe symptoms of MVP to be under the supervision of a cardiologist. With a doctor, the patient must solve the problem of normalizing his regime of work and rest.
It is clear that the stronger the load on the mitral valve, the prolapse of which we are considering, the more the “valve ring” stretches, the higher the risk of arrhythmias. Therefore, these patients need to correlate the load with their condition.
- In the absence of pronounced regurgitation, patients are shown an active lifestyle and moderate physical activity. It is permissible to practice sports (skiing, skating, swimming, cycling), but boxing and jumping, for example, are contraindicated.
- In the case of severe pathology, sports are not recommended.