Mitral Valve Prolapse

Your mitral valve controls blood flow on the left side of your heart. The valve opens and closes with each heartbeat. It works like a one-way gate, letting blood flow from your upper heart chamber to your lower chamber.

When you have mitral valve prolapse (MVP), the valve closes after blood flows through. Blood flows normally through the valve. But the valve bulges backward a little. It looks like a tiny parachute or balloon as it bulges.

Mitral valve prolapse is not dangerous. It usually does not damage your heart. You will probably not need treatment. You can live a normal, healthy life.

Mitral valve prolapse raises your risk of having a problem called mitral valve regurgitation. This problem happens if the valve does not close tightly enough and blood leaks back (regurgitates) into the upper chamber of the heart. The heart then has to work harder to pump this extra blood.