 We explain mitral valve prolapse based on a true story Meet Maddie at a recent doctor's appointment a pediatrician discovered that her daughter Lacey has a heart murmur After being evaluated with an echocardiogram Lacey was diagnosed with mitral valve prolapse If the heart was cut in half This is what mitral valve prolapse would look like compared with a typical heart Maddie is still unsure what this means, but Lacey's cardiologist Dr. Goldstein is happy to explain To start mitral valve prolapse also known as MVP No, not that kind of MVP is when both the flaps or leaflets on the mitral valve collapse backward into the left atrium The most common cause is abnormally stretchy valve leaflets Although it can also be caused by other health problems such as connective tissue diseases Some people with MVP might not experience any symptoms while others may experience a racing or irregular heartbeat Dizziness or lightheadedness difficulty breathing shortness of breath fatigue and chest pain Dr. Goldstein tells Maddie not to worry because typically MVP is a minor issue But Lacey should still get checked regularly because sometimes it can become very serious For example, it can cause arrhythmia that could become life-threatening Also in certain cases the prolapsed valve regurgitates or let's blood leak backward Which, in large amounts, can form blood clots that potentially lead to stroke or heart attack Depending on severity, Dr. Goldstein reveals that he may treat Lacey with medication But if her symptoms get worse, the left ventricle of the heart becomes enlarged Or the heart function worsens, they may need to repair or replace her mitral valve Dr. Goldstein assures Maddie that now the condition has been diagnosed, Lacey will be in good hands They will closely monitor her and if the problem becomes severe they will appropriately treat her to ensure she is healthy