Mitral Valve Prolapse (MVP): Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment
Abstract
Mitral valve prolapse is also known as Floppy Mitral Valve, Billowing mitral valve, Balloon mitral valve, Click-Murmur Syndrome (Barlow’s syndrome) is one of the common causes of isolated mild mitral regurgitation (15-35%), commonly seen in middle aged females. It may be due to congenital abnormality or degenerative myxomatous change or connective tissue disorder such as Marfan’s syndrome. Here is a brief introduction on its symptoms, causes with ayurvedic management to reduce these disorders.
Introduction
In this condition the heart’s mitral valve doesn’t work properly. The normal functioning of the mitral valve is to control blood flow between the left atrium to the left ventricle. The floppy valves of the heart are unable to close tightly.
MVP can also occur as a sequel to acute rheumatic fever, ischemic heart disease, cardiomyopathy and ASD. Ayurveda says that ‘Hridroga’ (heart disease) is the leading cause of mortality and morbidity. The imbalance of the tridosha (vata, pitta, kapha) leads to the occurrence of diseases in the heart.
In Charaka Samhita Sutrasthana 17//30-38 sloka is explaining about about Hridroga and its types-
- Vataja Hridroga – Symptoms in this condition would be fainting, abnormal heart sounds with pain. (Ch. Su 17/30-31)
- Pittaj Hridroga – Burning sensation, burps, lethargy, thrust, loss of consciousness, vertigo, sweating etc are the symptoms. ( Su 17/32-33)
- Kaphaj Hridroga – Sleeplessness, heaviness in chest region, are found. ( Su 17/34-35)
- Tridoshaja Hridroga – All the above symptoms are present in it and this condition is more severe which is not easily treatable ‘Kastasadhya’. ( Su 17/35)
- Krimijanya Hridroga – Severe painful condition of heart with itching is seen. ( Su 17/36-38)
Causes
Mitral valves are abnormal in the following way:
- Valve flaps are large and thick.
- Floppy valve flaps with stretchy supporting strings
- Valve bulge back into atrium
- Opening of the valve may stretch.
- Hence the heart valve is unable to make a tight seal.
Symptoms
Below are the symptoms of Mitral valve prolapse
- In mild form, it produces only midsystolic click with no murmur and is totally asymptomatic. This is due to bulging of the valve back into the atrium during systole; valve being normal.
- When mitral regurgitation develops due to incompetent valve (valve ring dilated), then midsystolic click is followed by mid or late systolic murmur, the length of which varies with severity of mitral regurgitation and during certain manoeuvres. This is a characteristic finding of mitral valve prolapse.
- The murmur radiates anteriorly in posterior leaflet prolapse and into axilla in anterior leaflet prolapse. Prolapse of posterior leaflet is commoner than anterior.
- Occasionally, there may be multiple clicks, or sometimes the click is obscured by pansystolic murmur. Mitral valve prolapse is associated with dyspnea, palpitation, atypical chest pain and fatigue.
- There is an increased incidence of benign arrhythmias (VPCs), but a small minority of patients have complex, bizarre arrhythmias (VT, torsades de pointes).
- Mitral valve prolapse has been discovered commonly in young patients with embolic stroke but whether it is the underlying cause has not been proved.
- Mitral regurgitation due to mitral valve prolapse can predispose to endocarditis and thromboembolic complications.
- Rarely, progressive elongation of chordae tendineae may lead to increase in mitral regurgitation. If chordae tendinae rupture occurs, regurgitation becomes acute and severe.
- Shortness of breath with swelling of legs and feet is seen, rapid heartbeat, dizziness, with anxiety attacks.
Investigation
Mitral valve prolapse can be diagnosed by:-
- The echocardiogram (M- mode) is diagnostic, revealing a prolapse of cusp of mitral valve.
- Doppler ultrasound
- Chest X-ray
- Echocardiography
Risk Factor
Risk factors of Mitral valve prolapse includes
- Old men above 50 years are at the greater risk of developing this and MVP runs in the family also.
- Rheumatic fever history
- Graves’ disease
- Muscular dystrophy
- Skeletal problems
- Connective tissue disorders
Herbal Medicines for Mitral Valve Prolapse By Planet Ayurveda
Planet ayurveda is having excellent herbal products for Mitral valve prolapse which are 100% natural products free from all the chemicals, preservatives, starch, additives, colors, yeast, binders, fillers which supports healthy condition of heart by maintaining the tridosha (three body energies) of the body which are 100% vegetarian. Formulated by MD Ayurveda doctors.
The Heart care pack of Planet Ayurveda is one of the best product for this condition as it is having
- Arjuna Capsules
- Arjun Tea
- Total Heart Support
Products Description
Arjuna Capsules
It contains arjuna (Terminalia arjuna) as the principal ingredient. It is very good for maintaining a healthy heart and provides nourishment to it. Provide nutrition to all the nerves of the heart so that it can function properly and can beat regularly.
Dosage – 2 Capsules, twice daily with plain water.
Arjuna Tea
Herbal powder of Arjuna with some other herbs are used in the form of herbal tea which overall improves the health of the heart. Thus, manages mitral valve prolapse and alleviates the associated symptoms.
DOSAGE – 2 Cups, twice daily.
Total Heart Support
The herbs included in this are Arjuna (Terminalia Arjuna), Ashwagandha (Withania somniferum), Brahmi (Bacopa monnieri) and Shankhapushpi (Convolvulus pluricaulis) which are excellent in improving heart nerve condition.
DOSAGE – 2 Capsules, twice daily with plain water.
Some Of The Herbs Which Are Known Good For Heart Are
- Arjuna (Terminalia Arjuna) – It provides nourishment to the heart. The nerves supplying to the heart get nourishment hence the beating condition of heart gets normal. It also constricts the blood vessels to improve the blood supply.
- Karpur (Cinnamomum Camphora) – It improves the blood supply of the heart.
- Hritpatri (Digitalis purpurea)– Provides energy to heart for better palpitations and improves the blood supply.
- Karavira (Nerium Indicum)– This herb is having good results in heart and blood disorders.
Conclusion
Mitral valve prolapse is a serious heart condition which affects the healthy functioning of the heart. Most people with this condition do not show any symptoms, but when the symptoms and complications start appearing it is very important to go for a physical examination and take the proper treatment. Heart is the vital organ of the body so its healthy condition is required for living a healthy, happy life. People should eat a heart healthy diet and should do exercises for managing their body weight, mental stress.
