Usually when the ventricle or the left bottom chamber contract, the blood is pumped through the aortic vessels to the body. This oxygenated blood arrives in the ventricle through the Mitral valve from the top chamber of the left heart which is the left atrium. Although the valves open up when the atrium contracts, it usually closes when the ventricle is contracting. In patients with MVP the valves tend to flop backwards towards the atrium due to myxomatous degeneration of its collagen structure and rarely some portion of the blood can flow back into the atrium.

MVP Syndrome is thought to be having a link with the genes and is supported by strong family history. But, the exact cause of it is unknown. The patients with Mvp Syndrome are tall, thin with long arms and fingers as well as a straight back.

Even though most of the patients does not complain of any symptoms, following have been observed among the patient population.

Fatigue: seems to be the most common symptom among the MVP syndrome patients and is probably due to the imbalance between requirement and supply of oxygenated blood to the muscle tissues during exercise.

Palpitations: Fast contractions of the heart might be felt by the individual and it could occur in episodes. Although its usually harmless, it can some times associated with heart arrhythmia that can cause heart failure

Chest pain: the pain is characteristically not associated with or after exercise and can be prolonged while not responding to Nitroglycerines.

Anxiety: may also be due to the imbalance of functioning of the Autonomic Nervous System.

Migranous headache

Apart from the symptoms mentioned above, when a proper clinical examination is done, following will be identified.

1. Heart click: A noise heard at the apex of the heart and is due to the prolapsing nature of the mitral valve.

2. Murmur: The back flow that is occurring due to the improper closure of the mitral valve gives rise to a murmur that is audible through the stethoscope.

3. Echo findings: These are conclusive of the MVP and the cardiologist will be able to identify the myxomatous degeneration of the valves as well.

4. Holter monitoring: This test will reveal any rhythm abnormalities of the heart and makes the clinician aware about the need to intervene.

After a clinical and investigation based diagnosis with regard to the MVP syndrome doctors can proceed with the available treatment options which rarely need either medications or very rarely surgical intervention. The treatment is based on easing the heart function and maintaining balance between autonomic nervous system of the body. The avoidance of caffeine and sugars will improve the symptoms associated with the syndrome and avoiding dehydration will also support the cause.