Mitral Valve Prolapse

Alternate Names : MVP

How is the condition diagnosed?

Mitral valve prolapse is usually diagnosed in the course of a physical examination. The healthcare provider, using a stethoscope, may hear a click and heart murmur, or abnormal heart sound. The provider can make the click and murmur occur earlier in the heartbeat by having the person stand or tighten his muscles as if having a bowel movement.

The provider may order an echocardiogram, which is a special imaging test of the heart done with ultrasounds. It can show a thickened valve that balloons into the left atrium. A Doppler echocardiogram can show blood flowing backward through the valve into the left atrium.