What Causes Mitral Valve Prolapse With Mild Regurgitation?

Posted on Tue, 31 Mar 2015

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Tue, 31 Mar 2015 Answered on

Mon, 20 Apr 2015 Last reviewed on

Question : I'm 35, female, and have confirmed diagnosis from a cardiologist of mitral valve prolapse with mild regurgitation. I went for my annual appt today, and had an ekg done. My cardiologist said she suspected a slightly enlarged right atrium. I requested an echo to be done this week, rather than wait 6 months as she wanted. I asked why it would be enlarged when my mitral valve is the problem. She said pressure from my heart pumping harder could cause it to enlarge. I noticed on my automated ekg printout, it said something to the effect, "left atrium abnormality." I'm extremely confused. I'm healthy, active, and have no known history of heart or lung issues. So far, my only symptom of the MVP is occasional heart palpitations. Please help.

Answered by Dr. Benard Shehu (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Following answer to your query.

Detailed Answer:
Hi and thank you for asking!
I read your query and understood your concerns.

You are reporting to have mild mitral regurgitation that is associated with a atrial overload ( during each heart beat a portion of blood turn back to atria causing the overload). Atrial overload with the passing of time cause atrial enlargement that may be seen even on ecg.

However cardiac echo is the gold standard for the evaluation of atrial enlargement and I recommend to plan your echo as soon as possible.

Meanwhile I recommend to stay calm and relax it's only an ecg finding and it only may cause occasional palpitations.

Wish you health!
Dr.Benard

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar