This may help you understand a little more:
http://www.clevelandclinicmeded.com/medicalpubs/diseasemanagement/cardiology/mitral-valve-disease/
I think the forum may allow this link, so click on this and read. Take care, Ally
Well, I guess you will have to copy and paste the link.
The mitral valve is made up of the annulus, anterior and posterior leaflets, and chordae, which attach the leaflets to their respective papillary muscles. A normally functioning valve allows blood to flow unimpeded from the left atrium to the left ventricle during diastole and prevents regurgitation during systole. Normal mitral valve function is dependent not only on the integrity of the underlying valvular structure, but on that of the adjacent myocardium as well.
Mitral regurgitation (MR) is leakage of blood from the left ventricle into the left atrium during systole. It is caused by various mechanisms related to structural or functional abnormalities of the mitral apparatus, adjacent myocardium, or both. The most common causes of mitral regurgitation are myxomatous degeneration, chordal rupture, rheumatic heart disease, infective endocarditis, coronary artery disease, and cardiomyopathy.
Mitral valve prolapse (MVP) is the systolic billowing of one or both mitral leaflets into the left atrium during systole.22 It may occur in the setting of myxomatous valve disease or in persons with normal mitral valve leaflets.
There is some of it. Take care, Ally
Did your doctor suggest you had a heart murmur (heard with stethoscope)? Did you have a doppler echocardiogram? In mitral valve prolapse (MVP), the shape or dimensions of the leaflets of the valve are not ideal; they may be too large and fail to close properly or they balloon out, hence the term "prolapse." The valve has two leaflets described by location as posterior an anterior.
Trivial regurgitation is considered medically insignificant and seldom progresses nor cause symptoms...not uncommon finding.
The mitral valve is the opening (orifice) between the upper and lower chamber (left venticle). During the pumping phase (systole) some blood back flows into the upper chamber as the leaflets do not close tightly. For some insight there are various types of MVP and broadly it can be classified as classic and nonclassic.... In its nonclassic form, MVP carries a low risk of complications.... In severe cases of classic MVP, complications include mitral regurgitation, infective endocarditis, congestive heart failure, and—in rare circumstances—cardiac arrest, usually resulting in sudden death...worst case scenarios.
If serious you would have shortness of breath with very little exertion. Possibly chest pain and muscle fatigue, etc. I have moderate to severe mitral valve regurgitation for may years without any symptoms, and there doesn't appear to any advancement.
Hope this helps. Thanks for your question, and if you have any further questions, you are welcome to respond. Take care