Mitral valve prolapse is a heart disorder where the mitral valve leaflets have extra tissue or become stretched and bulge (or prolapse) into the left atrium. The condition can be asymptomatic in some cases, but if it progresses and the floppy valve no longer closes properly, it can result in damage to the heart muscle, stroke, or even sudden cardiac death.
A healthy mitral valve opens to let blood flow from the left atrium to the left ventricle when the heart relaxes and closes tightly to prevent blood from leaking backward as the heart contracts.
In a mitral valve clip procedure, the surgeon makes a small incision in the vein at the groin and guides a thin, flexible tube with the mitral valve clip on the end up to the mitral valve inside the heart. Then, the surgeon attaches the clip to the two places where the valve is defective, also called an "edge-to-edge" repair, to help the valve close more effectively.
Mitral valve replacement is a complex, open-heart surgery done through a full sternotomy. Similar to mitral valve repair, patients are connected to a cardiopulmonary bypass machine, and the heart is stopped throughout the surgery. The valve can be replaced with a mechanical or a bioprosthetic (tissue) valve.
Mechanical valves are made of carbon and steel, and they have advantages and disadvantages.
Mechanical valves are generally a better choice for younger patients because they are highly durable and can last 20 to 30 years without requiring surgery due to valve degeneration.
A drawback to mechanical valves is that the risk of blood clots is very high, increasing the risk of stroke. People with a mechanical replacement valve need to be on a lifelong regimen of a blood thinner called warfarin, which comes with a higher risk of bleeding and the need for regularly scheduled bloodwork to make sure there isn't too much or too little of the medication in the bloodstream. Warfarin is also not recommended for pregnant women or those planning to become pregnant because it can harm the fetus. Women of childbearing age who need a new mitral valve can opt for a bioprosthetic valve.
Although mitral valve prolapse doesn't always cause serious health problems, it can come with symptoms that may lead to anxiety and stress.
Stress and anxiety can increase chronic inflammation and reduce sleep quality, which can increase the risk of heart disease and damage.
Stress and anxiety can also cause people to develop poor lifestyle habits like smoking and drinking alcohol to help them cope. Both smoking and excessive alcohol use can potentially damage the heart.
Some medications, like antacids, contain sodium. Ask your health care provider or pharmacist about how much sodium is in your medications. You can also read the labels of over-the-counter medications to find out if they contain sodium.