Stress Center Peer Support

Just wondering if anyone here has been diagnosed with mitral valve prolapse? I have this condition and have been
told that it causes anxiety and depression. A lot of people have this condition and dont even know it because they dont have any symptoms. The actual condition isnt the problem its if you have mitral valve prolapse syndrome that causes the actual symptoms. It throws your whole nervous system out of wack and thats what sets it off. Whats funny about it though is you can go years without any symptoms and then all of a sudden they come back without any warning and you are back in a horrible cycle of panic and anxiety. I am in one of those bad periods now. Usually I will have a couple of bad days or maybe even weeks with symptoms but then they go away and I am able to function again. Well the symptoms came back with full force since june of 2010. I have a few good days here and there but even on those days i find it hard to function. I have never had such a long run of symptoms and I am really worried about it. I was in the er overnight back in oct because of this and they said it was anxiety. Ive been to my doc so many times about it and he says the same thing. In my head though I cannot stop thinking something is really wrong and they are just missing something. I just want my life back and when i sit and think about how this has taken total control of my life i just break down in tears.

Hi,
Yes, I have MVP syndrome, and I believe it is quite common. I don't know that the actual condition causes stress/anxiety, however you may be experiencing panic attacks due to anxiety knowing that you have the condition.
The mind/body connection is quite strong so this very well might be happening to you.

I have other heart conditions as well, but I know and understand what is happening to me when symptoms occur, so I have no need to panic.

It might help you to see a cardiologist if you haven't already, to help relieve you of your anxiety. Also, you might need a valve replacement which is also a common procedure and would cure your condition. I will need one or more valve replacements eventually, but not yet.

I think the more you understand about MVP, the less anxiety you will have.
Good luck.

I found this site for you. It is quite interesting and validates all you say.

www.mitrovalveprolapse.com.

Thank you for the info. I have been to many cardiologists and some say I have this condition and some say I dont. One cardio told me it is so minor that when they do the test if they dont look at the valve from a certain angle they wont see it. I believe I do have it because I have all of the symptoms. You are right a lot of my anxiety comes from worrying about the fact that I have this condition. Whenever I have symptoms Im not sure if its the actual heart condition or the anxiety or a combination of both. I always panic because I think there is something really wrong with my heart and its the end for me. The whole thing is just so frustrating and I just wish I could live a normal life.

The link I posted to you earlier was not a good one. Try this. I think it will help you...

http://www.mitralvalveprolapse.com/

PS

My cardiologist told me not to worry about it, but it did show up on an echocardiogram. I believe it is when your valve has a small "leakage" due to the fact that your valve? doesn't close all the way. I listened to my doctor. He told me not to worry, so I don't. I think you should try to listen to your doctor too. Read the info I sent you, as many people feel the way you do..

not sure if i have this but it caught my eye. I was at the heart doc years ago and i was told i have a "normal abnormality" and i think they said it was mitral valve prolapse. I was also told i had a "hickup" in my heart. Anyway i whatever it was i was told the same thing not to worry about it. And i think that is the best advice. But i never new it could be the cause of symptoms. wow it makes you wonder how many of us have it. Anyway if your doctor says don't worry about it, believe him. They would tell you if something was wrong so look at it as good news...it's something you don't need to worry about. ((hugs)).

I have one too, in Germany I found put its quite common. I have MVP with regurgitation, I am told this is also quite normal.

I have MVP, but it hasn't caused any problems for me to the best of my knowledge. My depression and anxiety is pretty much hereditary as many family members on both sides have issues as well.

However, since ordering this program, I finally have some hope in my life now. I didn't even touch the package for one month because I was afraid of failing. I mean, if all the drugs I take don't work all the time, how are some DVD's, CD's, and workbook going to work? I had nothing to lose so I started listening to the CD's on the way to work and home. I devoured the CD's and DVD's. I haven't even started in the workbook yet, and I can tell a huge difference. I can't explain it, but things are going so much better. Once we dig out of this financial hole we are in, I'm sure MORE of my depression and anxiety will dissipate. Paying for this program is going to be very difficult, but I will find a way to finish paying for it.

Any newbies out there, PLEASE, give it a try.

Diane

A benign condition! Not to worry! I have had this for over 25 years!

pauly j