www.ourmidland.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=18897838&BRD=22 -
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Published on: 10/9/2007
Last Visited: 10/10/2007
"In simple terms, mitral valve prolapse is a failure of the mitral valve to close properly," said Dr. Robert Genovese, a cardiologist with Michigan Cardiovascular Institute in Midland.
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Genovese said people either can be born with mitral valve prolapse, or develop the disease later in life.He said the disease can worsen over time.He said there is no specific cause of mitral valve prolapse.
"In the vast majority of patients, it never causes a problem," he said.
People with mitral valve prolapse are evaluated by their physicians and are given an echocardiogram.Depending on the severity of the disease, the person might need an evaluation by a cardiologist.
"If the condition is mild and not causing a problem, it should not interfere with their activities day to day," Genovese said."They can exercise and do all the things they would normally do without restriction."
However, Genovese added, the mitral valve can severely leak in some patients.This means the valve doesn't close properly so blood can go back into the valve.
"It creates a strain on the heart, which can lead to a shortness of breath, arrhythmia and ultimately heart failure," he said.
Genovese said the cords that hold the valve in place can snap without warning.Someone with mitral valve prolapse can have this leakage and not have any symptoms.
"There isn't any specific cause," he said."If the valve is under stress for many years, the cords can weaken and snap unexpectedly."
Genovese said the high heat, combined with humidity and a possible lack of hydration, can't be ruled out as contributing causes to Schieber's death from mitral valve prolapse.
"Over 90 percent of patients never have a problem at all.Perhaps 10 percent need to have their valve repaired," Genovese said.
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