61. »»Heart-Valve-Diseases Reviews«« Average review score No reviews found. mitral valve disease Diagnosis and Management. Published in Hardcover by ButterworthHeinemann (May, 1985). http://www.health-issue-books.com/Heart-Murmur/Heart-Valve-Diseases/Heart-Valve-

Heart-Valve-Diseases Reviews Related Subjects: Heart-Murmur More Pages: Heart-Valve-Diseases Page 1 Book reviews for "Heart-Valve-Diseases" sorted by average review score: La gloire de vaincre Published in Unknown Binding by O. Orban (1983) Author: Amazon base price: Average review score: No reviews found. The mitral valve : a pluridisciplinary approach Published in Unknown Binding by Pub. Sciences Group (1976) Amazon base price: Average review score: No reviews found. The mitral valve : a pluridisciplinary approach Published in Unknown Binding by Edward Arnold (1976) Amazon base price: Average review score: No reviews found. Mitral Valve Disease: Diagnosis and Management Published in Hardcover by Butterworth-Heinemann (May, 1985) Authors: Marion Ioinescu and Lawrence Cohn Amazon base price: Average review score: No reviews found. Mitral Valve Prolapse Syndrome: A Patient's Perspective Published in Paperback by Lorelei J. Logsdon (17 September, 2002) Author: Lorelei J. Logsdon Amazon base price: Average review score: No reviews found.

62. Valve Disease - Texas Heart Institute Heart Information Center A look at both stenosis and regurgitation of mitral valves, aortic valves, tricuspid valves and pulmonary valves. For each one causes, symptoms and signs are looked at. http://www.tmc.edu/thi/valvedis.html

//var DOCUMENTGROUP=''; //var DOCUMENTNAME=''; //var ACTION=''; Heart Information Center Click here for Heart Owner's ... Update This publication contains information to help you understand and live a heart-healthy lifestyle. Published for friends of the Texas Heart Institute. Valve Disease Every time your heart beats, blood flows into, through, and out of your heart. In fact, your heart moves about 100 gallons (379 liters) of blood through your body every hour. Blood is pumped through your heart in only one direction. Heart valves play key roles in this one-way blood flow, opening and closing with each heartbeat. Pressure changes behind and in front of the valves allow them to open their flap-like "doors" (called cusps or leaflets) at just the right time, then close them tightly to prevent a backflow of blood. There are 4 valves in the heart: Tricuspid valve Pulmonary valve Mitral valve Aortic valve Blood without oxygen returns from the body and flows into the heart's upper-right chamber (the right atrium). From there, it is forced through the tricuspid valve into the lower-right chamber (the right ventricle). The right ventricle pumps the blood through the pulmonary valve and into the lungs. While in the lungs, the blood picks up oxygen. As the right ventricle is preparing to push blood through the pulmonary valve, the tricuspid valve closes to stop blood from flowing back into the right atrium.

63. Mitral Valve And Mitral Valve Prolapse In MVP, one or both valve flaps are enlarged, and some of their supporting mitral valve and mitral valve Prolapse. The mitral (MI'tral) valve is between the heart's left Bacterial Endocarditis. Congenital Cardiovascular disease. Dental Care and Heart disease http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=4717

64. HELP IS AVAILABLE FOR MITRAL VALVE PROLAPSE SYNDROME AND DYSAUTONOMIA! Information about the organization as well as this disease and MVP. Extensive data base includes FAQs. http://www.mitralvalveprolapse.com/

THE SOCIETY FOR MITRAL VALVE PROLAPSE SYNDROME: A NONPROFIT, CHARITABLE ORGANIZATION OUR MISSION STATEMENT: Our one and only goal since 1988, which remains the same to this day, is to reach out to all of those who have suffered in silence knowing they were somehow different and yet unable to figure out why. FREE INFORMATION Great news! New Harbinger Publications contacted us last year and asked us to write an MVPS book!! The book, entitled, "The Mitral Valve Prolapse Syndrome/Dysautonomia Survival Guide" is now available. "Mitral Valve Prolapse Syndrome is a book full of practical, self-care strategies that work, as well as guidance for getting effective medical help. It's the best book on this subject currently available, because it's written by people who understand the illness from the inside and know every step on the road to recovery. If you have MVPS, this book will change your life." Matthew McKay, Ph.D., author of "The Relaxation & Stress Reduction Workbook, Self-Esteem, and Thoughts & Feelings "The authors clearly did their homework. I suspect that this will become the new Bible for MVP and I send a hearty congratulations!" Lyn Frederickson, RN, MSN, author, "Confronting Mitral Valve Prolapse Syndrome"

65. MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia: Mitral Valve Prolapse mitral valve prolapse has been associated with Marfan s syndrome (a disorder present from birth), Graves disease, and other disorders. http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000180.htm

@import url(http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/images/advanced.css); Skip navigation Medical Encyclopedia Other encyclopedia topics: A-Ag Ah-Ap Aq-Az B-Bk ... Z Mitral valve prolapse Contents of this page: Illustrations Alternative names Definition Causes, incidence, and risk factors ... Prevention Illustrations Heart, section through the middle Mitral valve prolapse Heart valve surgery - series Alternative names Return to top Barlow's syndrome; Floppy mitral valve; Myxomatous mitral valve; Billowing mitral valve; Systolic click-murmur syndrome; Prolapsing mitral leaflet syndrome Definition Return to top Mitral valve prolapse is a disorder in which the heart's mitral valve which separates the left upper chamber (atrium) from the left lower chamber (ventricle) billows out and does not close properly. Causes, incidence, and risk factors Return to top Mitral valve prolapse can be caused by a variety of mechanisms. In most cases, it is harmless and does not cause symptoms or need to be treated. In a small number of cases, it can cause severe mitral regurgitation (leakage of blood back through the valve) and needs to be treated with surgery. Some forms of mitral valve prolapse seem to be hereditary. Mitral valve prolapse has been associated with

66. HeartPoint: Valvular Heart Disease A lot to be found here, including regurgitation, causes of valvular disease, therapy and surgeries available. An excellent diagram of regurgitant mitral valve in motion is shown. http://www.heartpoint.com/valvularheartdx.html

Valvular Heart Disease HeartPoint animation: this will take approximately 1 minute to load. It is easily understood that the muscle that we call the heart must continue to pump with adequate force to pump the blood that the body needs. "Valves" however are extremely important to the heart's efficiency. These delicate structures allow for the efficient flow of blood progressively forward through the heart's chambers, maximizing the efficiency of the heart muscle's work. To review the flow of blood through the heart, you can check out "The Heart" animation. link In the animation above, the Tricuspid Valve (between the right atrium and right ventricle) and the Pulmonic Valve (between the right ventricle and the pulmonary artery) are illustrated to be working normally. After the right ventricle contracts, pressure is low in the chamber. The Tricuspid Valve, which had been closed from the pressure generated from the ventricle's contraction, now opens as the pressure of the blood from the right atrium has built up while the Tricuspid Valve was closed. The right ventricle will again contract, closing the Tricuspid Valve again, and pushing open the Pulmonic Valve. Once the right ventricle completes its contraction, the pressure in the pulmonary artery will be higher than in the right ventricle, and the Valve will close. The valves on the left side of the heart, the Aortic Valve and the Mitral Valve however, are not working properly. Blood returns from the lungs and empties into the left atrium. In this illustration, the Mitral Valve opens properly when the left ventricle is finished contracting, and allows blood to flow into the left ventricle easily. When the left ventricle contracts however, blood is shown to flow back into the left atrium through the Mitral Valve. This backward flow of blood is called

67. Mitral Valve Prolapse Education And Support Learn about MVP, its symptoms, arrhythmias, chest pain, heart sounds, regurgitation, endocarditis, heart failure, valvular disease and other related topics. An email group for support and regular newsletters is available. http://mitral-valves.faithweb.com

Free Web site hosting - Freeservers.com Web Hosting - GlobalServers.com Choose an ISP NetZero High Speed Internet ... Dial up $14.95 or NetZero Internet Service $9.95 advertisement MITRAL VALVE PROLAPSE ABOUT ME: My name is Paula and I am 47 years old. I found out in 1995 that I might have Mitral Valve Prolapse and this led me to further investigation of this disease. WHY I AM HERE I would like to share what I have learned about MVP. Just click below on the page of interest and it will take you there. Join my email group at Yahoo! Groups for learning, sharing and support with others who have MVP. Please remember to sign my guest book, and enjoy your visit!! NOTE: As with any information presented to you, use your discernment when visiting this site. Before taking any supplements or changing your life style, contact your health care provider. All information sent to me in email form or other means of communication, other than by way of my guest book, will be held in the strictest of confidence. Information posted in my guest book can be seen by all visitor. This site has been completely funded by myself and hosted for free by Freeservers. The banner at the top of each page is advertising for Freeservers and my "price" for having my site with them.

68. MVP Links A collection of resources relating to mitral valve prolapse syndrome/dysautonomia and this disease. http://www.ilovejesus.com//myhome/mcpeg7/MitralValveProlapse.shtml

Mitral Valve Prolapse The picture above shows the valves of a normal heart. In the "systole" picture in the upper right corner notice how the ends of the valve meet perfectly to close off the flow of blood. Then, in the picture below, notice how in Mitral Valve Prolapse, the ends of the valve do not quite come together, allowing a leakage of blood back into the chamber of the heart. DEFINITION OF MVP: A fairly common and often benign disorder in which a slight deformity of the mitral valve (situated in the left side of the heart) can produce a degree of leakage (mitral insufficiency). Mitral valve prolapse causes a characteristic heart murmur that may be heard through a stethoscope. Often no symptoms are present and the condition may be discovered on a routine examination. On the other hand, there are many who experience the following symptoms : Chest pain (sharp, dull or pressing). Fatigue, shortness of breath. Dizziness. Anxiety. Lightheadedness when getting up from a chair or bed. Palpitations.

69. Mitral Valve Prolapse - Texas Heart Institute Heart Information Center org/ Heart Stroke Encyclopedia M mitral valve and mitral valve Prolapse. related to the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of cardiovascular disease. http://www.tmc.edu/thi/mvp.html

//var DOCUMENTGROUP=''; //var DOCUMENTNAME=''; //var ACTION=''; Heart Information Center Click here for Heart Owner's ... Update This publication contains information to help you understand and live a heart-healthy lifestyle. Published for friends of the Texas Heart Institute. Mitral Valve Prolapse (En español) What causes mitral valve prolapse? Mitral valve prolapse (MVP) is among the most common heart conditions, but it remains something of a puzzle. Although MVP affects about 2% of the population, the cause is unknown. MVP often occurs in people who have no other heart problems, and the condition may be inherited. The mitral valve is located in the heart between the upper-left chamber (the left atrium) and the lower-left chamber (the left ventricle). The mitral valve consists of two flaps called leaflets. Normally, the leaflets open and shut in coordinated fashion to allow blood to flow in one direction—from the atrium to the ventricle. The left ventricle is the heart's main pumping chamber and propels oxygen-rich blood into the arteries, which carry the blood throughout the body.

70. Heart Valve Disease What causes heart valve disease? to bacterial infection or inflammation of a valve; excessive floppiness of the leaflets (mitral valve prolapse); enlargement of http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/diseases/facts/heartvalvedisease.htm

NetDoctor.co.uk Home News and features News Newsletter Features Encyclopaedia Diseases Examinations Medicines Premium services SMS services StayQuit thediet Health centres Allergy and asthma Children's health Depression Eczema ... All health centres Discussion and support Discussion forums Support groups Services Ask the doctor Find a hospital Search Medline Test yourself Information About NetDoctor Commercial opportunities NetDoctor.com Heart valve disease Dr Neal Uren , consultant cardiologist Dr Patrick Davey , cardiologist What is heart valve disease? The heart has two halves, a left and a right, each with two chambers - the atrium and the ventricle. Between the chambers are the heart valves which ensure the blood runs only in one direction. There are also heart valves situated between the ventricles and the major arteries - the aorta and pulmonary artery - where they have the same function. The valve (A) ensures that the blood does not flow back into the heart from the arterial side (B) when the heart is relaxing and filing with blood from the venous side (C). Failure in a valve in the left side of the heart - the aortic or the mitral valve - results in left-sided heart failure . This leads to an accumulation of fluids in the lungs, or pulmonary oedema.

71. Heart Valve Center four heart valves. The most common form of valvular heart disease is a leaky heart valve (eg, mitral valve prolapse). In a normally http://www.heartcenteronline.com/The_Heart_Valve_Center.html

The Heart Valve Center Heart valve disease is the name given to any dysfunction or abnormality of one or more of the four heart valves. The most common form of valvular heart disease is a leaky heart valve (e.g., mitral valve prolapse). Patients with certain types of congenital heart disease may be more prone to heart valve problems. There are a number of different types of valvular heart diseases, including: Mitral valve prolapse . A common and rarely serious condition in which the two flaps of the mitral valve (located between the left atrium and the left ventricle) cannot close properly. Valvular stenosis (such as aortic stenosis). A condition in which there is a narrowing, stiffening, thickening, fusion or blockage of one or more valves of the heart, causing leaky heart valves. Valvular regurgitation (such as mitral regurgitation). A condition in which blood leaks back in the wrong direction because one or more of the heart's valves is closing improperly. Atresia of one of the valves (such as tricuspid atresia ). A serious condition in which one of the valves has failed to develop properly and is completely closed at birth.

72. Valvular_Heart_Disease_Overview - HeartCenterOnline For Patients: Heart Health E aortic valve (63 percent) and the mitral valve (14 percent Deaths due to pulmonic and tricuspid valve disorders are Valvular heart disease in women may pose a http://www.heartcenteronline.com/myheartdr/common/articles.cfm?ARTID=187

73. Mayo Clinic: Tricuspid Valve Disease - Information And Treatment Options disease at Mayo Clinic in Rochester. Tricuspid valve disorders most often occur in conjunction with other heart valve problems, particularly with mitral valve http://www.mayoclinic.org/tricuspidvalvedisease-rst/

Home About Mayo Clinic Contact Us Mayo Clinic Locations: Arizona Florida Minnesota Mayo Clinic ... Medical Services Tricuspid Valve Disease Tricuspid Valve Disease Treatment Tricuspid Valve Surgery Tricuspid Valve Regurgitation Tricuspid Valve Stenosis ... Medical Services Treatment of Tricuspid Valve Disease at Mayo Clinic in Rochester Tricuspid valve disorders most often occur in conjunction with other heart valve problems, particularly with mitral valve disorders. This is secondary to increased pulmonary pressure caused by a narrow or leaking mitral valve. While the majority of heart valve operations involve repair or replacement of the mitral or aortic valves located on the left side of the heart, the tricuspid and pulmonary valves on the right side of the heart can also become defective and require surgery. See more information about the tricuspid valve. Tricuspid valve repair may also be needed because of damage caused by a heart attack, a birth defect, infection. Another important risk factor for damage to the tricuspid valve is use of the diet medications called "Phen-fen" (phentermine and fenfluramine) or dexfenfluramine. In rare instances, valve damage can be caused by an unusual tumor called a carcinoid, which secretes a hormone that damages the valve. Tricuspid valve abnormalities are also associated with Ebstein's anomaly . Trauma can cause disruption of the tricuspid valve support apparatus resulting in severe leakage. Mayo Clinic Heart Valve Disease Clinic Located within Mayo Clinic in Rochester, the Heart Valve Disease Clinic integrates the most advanced diagnostic and treatment options with a patient-centered, team approach to the treatment of heart valve disease.

74. Valve Diseases The two valves that most commonly become diseased and are responsible for the vast majority of clinical heart valve disease are the inlet (mitral) and outlet http://www.umm.edu/heart/valve_diseases.html

Maryland Heart Center Request an Appointment About Us Virtual Tour ... Online Resources Maryland Heart Center Valvular Disease Valve Disease Overview Aortic Valve Disorders Mitral Valve Disorders Aortic Valve Repair and Replacement Mitral Valve Repair and Replacement Valvular heart disease occurs when the heart's valves no longer help regulate blood flow. The human heart contains four one-way valves that assure efficient unidirectional blood flow through the lungs and the systemic circulation. The two valves that most commonly become diseased and are responsible for the vast majority of clinical heart valve disease are the inlet (mitral) and outlet (aortic) valves of the main pumping chamber of the heart, the left ventricle. The valve may have a defect such as artificial narrowing (stenosis) which restricts blood flow, or may be weakened and cause regurgitation (where the blood is re-directed in the wrong direction). This disease may be caused by damage to the heart muscle as a result of rheumatic fever or a congenital abnormality. Over time, valve disease can cause the heart muscle to become overworked, and if left untreated can cause even further damages. Anatomy of the Valves Click on image for more information The mitral valve is the inflow valve to the left ventricle and is positioned between the left atrium, which receives blood from the lungs and the left ventricle. The mitral valve opens during relaxation of the left ventricle (diastole) and allows blood from the atrium to fill the ventricle. Contraction of the ventricle (systole) causes a rapid increase of pressure in the ventricle, which in turn results in closure of the mitral valve.

75. Mitral Valve Prolapse And Thyroid Disease mitral valve Prolapse and Thyroid disease. I am your Guide, From Mary Shomon, Your Guide to Thyroid disease. The connection between http://thyroid.about.com/library/weekly/aa082597.htm

zJs=10 zJs=11 zJs=12 zJs=13 zc(5,'jsc',zJs,9999999,'') About Thyroid Disease Home Essentials ... Need Dr. Right? Find Thyroid Docs Now! zau(256,152,145,'gob','http://z.about.com/5/ad/go.htm?gs='+gs,''); Basic Info /Thyroid 101 Lose Weight Successfully Get Tested and Diagnosed Hypothyroidism / Hashimotos ... Help zau(256,138,125,'el','http://z.about.com/0/ip/417/0.htm','');w(xb+xb); Stay Current Subscribe to the About Thyroid Disease newsletter. zau(256,152,100,'hs','http://z.about.com/5/ad/hs.htm?zIhsid=00',''); Search Thyroid Disease Email to a friend Print this page Stay Current Subscribe to the About Thyroid Disease newsletter. Key Resources The Thyroid Top Doc Directory: Find a Doctor Now Thyroid 101 Basics Most Popular 7 Things You Probably Don't Know About Your Thyroid Conditio... Thyroid Disease 101: Basic Information on Hypothyroidism, Hy... Hypothyroidism Risk/Symptoms Checklist Diet and Weight Loss Center for Thyroid Patients / Lose Weig... ... Thyroid 101, Basic Information and Index to Mary Shomon's Ab... What's Hot 10 Signs That You Need a New Doctor Free T3: Understanding Thyroid Lab Tests Could Your Thyroid Be Causing Your Symptoms? Do You have Autoimmune Disease Super Symptoms? ... 7 Things You Probably Don't Know About Your Thyroid Conditio... Mitral Valve Prolapse and Thyroid Disease From Mary Shomon Your Guide to Thyroid Disease Sign up for my Newsletter The connection between mitral valve prolapse and thyroid conditions Medical research has found that the prevalence of mitral valve prolapse is substantially greater in patients with autoimmune thyroid disorders such as Graves' Disease and Hashimoto's Thyroiditis. According to the About.com Heart Surgery Forum, MVP is the most common heart valve abnormality, with estimates ranging from 2 million or more Americans diagnosed with this condition, and most are women (about 80%).

76. UAB Health System | Heart Valve Diseases The mitral and aortic valves are most often affected by heart valve disease. Some of the more common heart valve diseases include http://www.health.uab.edu/show.asp?durki=39578

77. Mitral Valve Heart Disease - Information / Diagnosis / Treatment / Prevention mitral valve Heart disease. MVP Links A collection of resources relating to mitral valve prolapse syndrome/dysautonomia and this disease. http://www.healthcyclopedia.com/cardiovascular-disorders/heart-disease/valvular/

Home Health cyclopedia All Topics by Category The Good Health Search Engine Health Conditions A-Z Gurus ... valvular > mitral valve Mitral Valve Heart Disease Information / Diagnosis / Treatment / Prevention External links (marked with an arrow ) open in a new window. This site is a web directory and does not offer medical advice. We cannot take responsibility for information found on listed sites. This Page Related Topics Medical Definition Health News Web Directory: Related Topics: Neurological Disorders/Dysautonomia/Mitral Valve Prolapse Syndrome Medical Definition: University of Newcastle-upon-Tyne Medical Dictionary: "mitral valve" Health News: Search millions of published articles for news on Mitral Valve Heart Disease Modern Medicine Aging The Ardell Wellness Report HealthFacts Medical Post Medical Update Men's Health and the National Women's Health Report Note: Subscription required to access the full text of articles. Web Directory: A Case History A 41-year-old white woman arrived at Uchee Pines Institute in a wheelchair. Mitral valve prolapse was diagnosed and the report talks about the disorder and some of the symptoms found. About.com Guide Mary Shomon

78. Mitral Valve Stenosis -- Overview Although mitral valve stenosis is a lifelong disease, symptoms usually do not develop for 10 to 20 years, 1 but may take as long as 40 years. http://my.webmd.com/hw/heart_disease/ue1006.asp

var guid_source = ""; var guid_source_id = ""; //unused var encodedurl = ""; WebMD Today Home WebMD News Center Member Services WebMD University My WebMD Find a Physician Medical Info Check Symptoms Medical Library Quizzes, Calculators Clinical Trials ... Women, Men, Lifestyle Who We Are About WebMD Site Map You are in Choose a Topic All Conditions ADD/ADHD Allergies Alzheimer's Arthritis Asthma Back Pain Breast Cancer Cancer Dental Depression Diabetes Eye Health Heart Disease Hepatitis HIV/AIDS Hypertension Men's Conditions Mental Health Migraines/Headaches Multiple Sclerosis Osteoporosis Parkinson's Sexual Conditions Stroke Weight Control Women's Conditions Health Topics Symptoms Medical Tests Medications ... Credits Mitral Valve Stenosis Overview What is mitral valve stenosis? Mitral valve stenosis is an uncommon heart condition that develops when the mitral valve fails to open as wide as it should. Although this has no immediate effect on health, it can eventually disrupt normal heart function and lead to heart failure , abnormal heartbeat ( arrhythmia ), and other heart conditions.

79. Mitral Valve Regurgitation -- Overview for more information. More Information More on chronic and acute mitral valve regurgitation; Heart valves and heart valve disease; http://my.webmd.com/hw/heart_disease/aa143445.asp

var guid_source = ""; var guid_source_id = ""; //unused var encodedurl = ""; WebMD Today Home WebMD News Center Member Services WebMD University My WebMD Find a Physician Medical Info Check Symptoms Medical Library Quizzes, Calculators Clinical Trials ... Women, Men, Lifestyle Who We Are About WebMD Site Map You are in Choose a Topic All Conditions ADD/ADHD Allergies Alzheimer's Arthritis Asthma Back Pain Breast Cancer Cancer Dental Depression Diabetes Eye Health Heart Disease Hepatitis HIV/AIDS Hypertension Men's Conditions Mental Health Migraines/Headaches Multiple Sclerosis Osteoporosis Parkinson's Sexual Conditions Stroke Weight Control Women's Conditions Health Topics Symptoms Medical Tests Medications ... Credits Mitral Valve Regurgitation Overview Mitral valve regurgitation (MR) develops when the mitral valve fails to close properly and blood leaks back into the pumping chamber. Although mild cases of this condition result in few problems, more severe and chronic cases eventually weaken the heart and can result in heart failure . Mitral valve regurgitation can be an acute or chronic condition. It is sometimes called mitral insufficiency. Heart valves operate like one-way gates, allowing blood to flow in only one direction between and out of heart chambers. See an illustration of the

80. Mitral Valve Prolapse - Heart: Health And Medical Information About Heart Diseas 44 additional mitral valve Prolapse related articles click here. Last Editorial Review 5/6/02. Sponsored Results Innovative Heart disease Prevention The http://www.medicinenet.com/Mitral_Valve_Prolapse/article.htm

MedicineNet Home Heart Home > Mitral Valve Prolapse Advanced Search Printer-Friendly Format Add to Favorites Email to a Friend ... Next page Mitral Valve Prolapse (MVP) What is mitral valve prolapse? How does a patient with MVP feel? How is mitral valve prolapse diagnosed and evaluated? What is the treatment for MVP? ... Mitral Valve Prolapse At A Glance What is mitral valve prolapse? Mitral valve prolapse (also known as "click murmur syndrome" and "Barlow's syndrome") is the most common heart valve abnormality, affecting five to ten percent of the world population. A normal mitral valve consists of two thin leaflets, located between the left atrium and the left ventricle of the heart. Mitral valve leaflets, shaped like parachutes, are attached to the inner wall of the left ventricle by a series of strings called "chordae." When the ventricles contract, the mitral valve leaflets close snugly, preventing backflow of blood from the left ventricle into the left atrium. When the ventricles relax, the valves open to allow oxygenated blood from the lungs to fill the left ventricle. In patients with mitral valve prolapse, the mitral apparatus (valve leaflets and chordae) becomes affected by a process called myxomatous degeneration. In myxomatous degeneration, the structural protein, collagen, forms abnormally and causes thickening, enlargement and redundancy of the leaflets and chordae. When the ventricles contract, the redundant leaflets prolapse (flop backwards) into the left atrium, sometimes allowing leakage of blood through the valve opening (mitral regurgitation). When severe, mitral regurgitation can lead to heart failure and abnormal heart rhythms. Most patients are totally unaware of the prolapsing of the mitral valve. Others may experience a number of symptoms discussed below.

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