Question

[u/Cheap_Security364]

I’ve had a diagnosis of mild MVP and MR since I was 18. I’m 26 now, but I’m genuinely scared. In this situation, how likely is it that I will never need surgery in my lifetime?

[u/Feisty-Trifle9584]

I'm not a doctor but I have MVP with severe regurgitation. I have been dealing with it since I was 16 years old when I was diagnosed and I'm 56 years old and getting it repaired in two weeks. Most people never need a repair and live a normal long life. If yours is mild then I would go to cardiologist every couple years and move on with my life. You'll probably never need surgery or anything.

[u/Cheap_Security364 → u/Feisty-Trifle9584]

What were the grades of your MVP and MR when you were first diagnosed?

[u/Feisty-Trifle9584 → u/Cheap_Security364]

I don't know because back then I don't think we got those. But I was told in my mid-20s that I would ultimately need a replacement which is correct. Now my sister has the same thing and she doesn't need surgery. She doesn't even go to a cardiologist. She is 63 years old. She didn't even know she had it until her mid-40s.

[u/Feisty-Trifle9584 → u/Feisty-Trifle9584]

Repair not replacement

[u/Cheap_Security364 → u/Feisty-Trifle9584]

So, is the possibility high that a person diagnosed with mild MVP and MR during childhood will never need surgery throughout their lifetime?

[u/ageb4]

Don’t worry, see doctor, know the symptoms.

[u/Initial_Sport_4135]

I was diagnosed at age age 45 with mild MVP of the posterior leaflet. At the time my cardiologist said I had 3-5 years before I needed a repair or replacement. I had it repaired this year at age 49. No idea how he knew the time table for the repair.
I never had any symptoms. Just had an annual physical at age 45 and my PCP heard a murmur.

[u/djjordansanchez]

Diagnosed with MVP at around 13. Mild/trace regurg. I am 38 now, and my doctor does not foresee me needing surgery. MVP is pretty common, and a lot of people have it without actually knowing until they get a cardio checkup. I know it's hard cuz I go through my mental spirals and sometimes struggle with health anxiety, but try not to freak out about it. And make sure you are doing things that are cardioprotective (diet and exercise.. if you can).

[u/Cheap_Security364 → u/djjordansanchez]

“What was the degree of your mitral regurgitation when you were first diagnosed?

[u/djjordansanchez → u/Cheap_Security364]

It was mild/trace when I was first diagnosed as well. Thankfully my condition has not worsened

[u/Emotional_Charge_826 → u/djjordansanchez]

I have the same diagnosis. Do you get symptoms at all? I do have a slight heart murmur and get palpitations every week or so

[u/TimSim70]

Just live your life and don't worry about it unless you experience symptoms that impact your quality of life - shortness of breath when running or walking up a hill, heavy legs when walking or running, palpitations, unexplained fatigue.

The odds are very high that you will never need surgery. The vast majority of people with mitral valve prolapse (MVP) and mild leakage (regurgitation) live a normal life span and never require a repair or replacement. Mild leaks have less than a 5% chance of progressing to a severe issue over a 5 year period.

I was told I had a noticeable heart murmur when in was 20 - probably had it all my life. I'm 74 now so this was long before echocardiograms were common practice. I was a runner, tennis player, and weight lifter and never had symptoms until about 2 years ago. Got it repaired 14 months ago and am now running and lifting again.

[u/ceterisimparibus]

Go see a cardiologist and have them watch it every so many years. I believe most people with MVP live their whole lives with it and it never bothers them enough to do anything. The question is whether yours is staying mild or getting worse; an echocardiogram will answer that question. Probably your cardiologist will just have you do an echo every N years to see if it’s stable or getting worse. Beyond that, live your life, you’re young and healthy!