Mitral Valve Prolapse: Will I Need Heart Surgery?

To answer Wolfgang's question and learn whether-or-not patients diagnosed with mitral valve prolapse may need surgery, we interviewed Dr. Marc Gerdisch, the Chief of Cardiac Surgery at Franciscan Health in Indianapolis, Indiana. Dr. Gerdisch is a mitral valve expert who has performed over 6,000 cardiac procedures and more than 4,000 heart valve operations.

In his response, Dr. Gerdisch also addresses the progression of mitral valve disease including the different types of mitral regurgitation including trace, mild, moderate and severe.

[noworries]

I was diagnosed with minor prolapse and then 13 years later I have severe regurgitation and now require open heart surgery at the age of 53. Was a shocker and not expected. I am glad you mentioned periodic check ups for it because I was not told that. It was caught before any damage was done to the heart, so that is a good thing.

[clarelawton]

I’ve been there was diagnosed with mvp at 30, now 53 and in the last two years was described as moderate, had palpitations and missed half beats and regurgitation but beta blockers helped greatly with the irregular beats, I knew that one day I would reach a point where surgery was needed, last year i got an infection in my blood, (something which i was always told to avoid but not sure how, and was previously told eg to have antibiotics an hour before dental work etc) the infection attacked my mitral valve and after two months in hospital on iv antibiotics fighting off the infection I had to have repair/replacement valve surgery, depending on what they found, so had open heart surgey just over eight months ago now, luckily they managed to work with my own tissues and repaired the valve, the first months after were uncomfortable as the nerves and muscles regenerated and repaired but at three months was quite good and now driving again and I don’t get out of breath at all now, it’s scary to think of the surgery but the surgeons are amazing and I’m grateful the infection made it happen sooner and my valve was repaired where as if it had been left longer a replacement may have been necessary, don’t be afraid if you face the surgery the benefits are so worth it and I’m proud of my scars, they saved my life, stay strong all

[frannloffler]

Guys, I am an extremely anxious and nervous person. And as incredible as it seems until 4 weeks ago I was perfectly fine, I had nothing. On April 20th, early in the morning, I woke up with tremendous palpitations, already feeling panicked and short of breath. I left the room and went to the living room in despair, thinking I was dying. A discomfort that I wouldn't wish on anyone. Afterwards, these panic attacks no longer happened the way they did, but as the days went by I felt fatigue, difficulty breathing normally and the palpitations continued.
I went to the doctor and he ordered echo and Holter exams. As I am extremely anxious and fearful, I went to check the echo exam and found mild aortic valve insufficiency and mitral valve prolapse. Now the way I am I can't have peace anymore, I'm always anxious and thinking I'm going to die. I'm Brazilian and I've seen several videos of doctors saying it's nothing serious, but I've been feeling tired and constantly short of breath. Oh I don't know, I didn't want to be the way I am, I suffer for everything.

[moondirge]

I was diagnosed when I was young, maybe around age 16? My parents never wanted me to check it out annually after doctors recommended we do, since we were so distant from the nearest place to have it checked. I don't hold it against them. They were busy folks and they were told that my condition was minor.
It's probably one of my greatest fears for my own body to be killing me. And I have never stopped going into panic attacks whenever I remember I have minor heart valve prolapse. I know that being anxious about it doesn't help me.
I'm in college now at age 21, and now I want to take matters into my own hands. I can't tell how serious this is for me personally, especially since I haven't been keeping aware of its condition and already have a weak constitution on top of just plain bad luck. Additionally, I am extremely prone to long periods of anxiety, which I hear is bad for the heart. I was told, however, that I shouldn't take too much anesthesia. Which concerns me, since I do someday hope to have children...But I have to keep hope and work with the future.

Sharing because knowing that I'm NOT the only one has been a huge help. And I want to give back to the sense for others.

[minniemoo]

Wow! I had this clicking sound in my left ear for about 4 years, I've just had a mitral valve repair.... I had kept mentioning as well as it was an odd thing that happened every evening without fail. Haven't had it in the 6 weeks since my op!

[thesungodsconsort]

Well, mine did progress, it is currently on 3+ according to the report, so i need to be aware of my body now, especially when it comes to my heart. Then my check up became every 6 months… just in case

[balwantnegi]

I'm 24 I have trivial mitral valve prolapse. Cardiologist says it's normal but have regular chest pain in left side

[JanineCeleste]

This was SO good and informative. Thank you !

[oknahh]

How often do mvp repair themselves in adults? After many years of cardiologist appointments and echos monitoring my mvp at the same level my doc informed me my recent echo indicated the mvp had healed itself. I get conflicting information online so I'm curious 🤔

[EnochBrown-sj]

Wow. This doctor is totally impressive!!!

[BryanTigo-mboy]

When I was in college I was diagnosed with mitral valve leaflet prolapse. The doctor said that it was not serious. I was told to take Atenolol thereablock and after 6 months I should go back to have check ups but I didn’t. I just take the medicine whenever I have extreme palpitations. I feel like my anxiety has something to do with my heart condition.

[leesarah]

Thank you Adam. I appreciate your channel! I had my MVP and had open heart surgery recently.

[michellesilot]

hello, ive been told to have operation as soon as posible its valve replacements , its hard for me even my mentenance i cant afford, .. i hope and god will listen that will someday will help me to have operation 😢, because its so expensive,

[LadieBjj]

Last time I checked I was 16. I was diagnosed with a leak in my valve. I am 41 and never went back. I still have those symptoms where I can feel my heart leaking. Today I saw a doctor and she recommended a cardiologist. I am passed due to get checked out.

[michaelmixon]

What if the patient is already feeling the fatigue and shortness of breath?

[nagarathnanagu]

I have mvp mild MR please suggest me doctor doctor told no need to woory they didnt give any tablets please suggest me what sholud i do sir.its surgery sir .or not

[kumaranil]

My mother's have mild to moderate MR do she need surgery pls reply

[seethalakshmi]

Why do i have long sigh while eating...
I have mitral valve prolapse...do anyone have same problem while eating

[roxie_s]

I am diagnosed with mvp in my 20s when my HR went beyond 200bpm. Years ago, I begin having episodes of intense pain from my left ear with longer duration each time. Went for a check and its not growth, not dental and not ENT related. No doctor knows why and i feel embarrassed as if im trying to waste doctors time. Now i just continue to endure it... Years... Anyone had the same experience?😢

[bernhardwalther]

Thanks for the information. Is there more Long Term statistics? 5years is short…. And which relation to sport ? When I sport and Fell something in the chest I kind of stress …. More and more