mitral valve prolapse and anxiety

• Mission Statement by Georg Eifert, 3/7/98
  • For Non-Professionals Seeking Information about Anxiety by Barbara Fleming, 12/1/96
    • anxiety disorder by jennifer reynolds, 3/9/98
      
      

This is not intended as specific medical advice, but as a general advise regarding mitral valve prolapse. Many individuals have some degree of valve prolapse. When the left ventricle contracts, the leaflets of the mitral valve "prolapse" into the left atrium. In some cases, the valve "leaks" and blood goes backwards into the atrium causing a audible "murmur". In my opinion, the condition I described, in and of itself, rarely causes anxiety symptoms. In the past, a great deal had been made of the association of MVP with anxiety, but I believe the MVP was often "guilty by association". Studies related to chest pain in MVP have been small and controversial. There are individuals, however, who have irregular heart beats in association with MVP. In these individuals, this irregularity can be INITIATED by changes in the autonomic nervous system or can TRIGGER changes- both can be experienced as anxiety or panic. Beta blockers control heart rate, response to sympathetic nervous system, and irregular heart beats. In caring for these patients, I always try to explore non-physical causes of symptoms and refer patients for appropriate treatment (I a family physician with special interest in behavioral health and addiction). I hope this is helpful.

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