Description of Condition:
Mitral valve prolapse
(MVP Also called "click-murmur" syndrome, floppy-valve syndrome)
is a common condition, especially in women. The problem arises from some
excess tissue and loose connective tissue in the structure of the mitral
valve in the heart: part of the valve protrudes down into the left ventricle
during contraction of the heart.
An individual with MVP may have absolutely no symptoms, or the symptoms
may vary from occasional palpitations, or unusual feeling in the chest
arising from the heart beating, to atypical chest pain and a myocardial
infarction.
There is also a slightly increased risk of a small stroke or transient
loss of consciousness.
Fitness and Diving Issue:
Frequently mitral valve prolapse will
not cause any symptoms or result in any changes in blood flow that would
prevent an individual from diving safely. A diver with known mitral valve
prolapse who has no symptoms and takes no medications for the problem should
be able to safely participate in diving. The individual should require no
medications and should be free from chest pain, any alteration in consciousness,
palpitations and abnormal heartbeats. Individuals with abnormal cardiac rhythm,
which can produce palpitations, should not dive unless these palpitations can be
controlled with low doses of anti-arrhythmic medications.
Medication Used in Treatment
Beta-blockers are
occasionally prescribed for mitral valve prolapse.
These often cause a decrease in maximum exercise
tolerance and may also have some effect on the airways.
This normally poses no problem for the average diver,
but it may be important in emergency situations.
(James Caruso MD, Alert Diver, Jul-Aug 1999.)
-
Cardiovascular Topics
- Hypertension
- Coronary Artery Disease
- Myocardial Infarction (Heart Attack)
- Coronary Artery Bypass Graft
- Mitral Valve Prolapse
- Cardiac Dysrythmias
- Cardiac Mumurs
- Atrial & Ventrical Septal Defects
- Raynaud's Syndrome
- Patent Foramen Ovale (PFO)
- Heart Valve Replacement
- Pacemakers and Diving (.pdf)