Living Heart Smart
Mitral Valve Prolapse: A Fresh Look and New Perspectives
Episode #45: Mitral valve prolapse (MVP): Mitral Valve Prolapse (MVP) has been misunderstood for decades — but the diagnosis has changed dramatically over the last 20 years. In this episode of Living HeartSmart, board-certified cardiologists Dr. Carolyn Lacey and Dr. Matt Devane break down everything you need to know about mitral valve prolapse: what it actually is, how it's diagnosed today with echocardiogram imaging, the difference between MVP and mitral regurgitation, whether it gets worse over time, and whether you'll ever need heart surgery. If you were diagnosed with mitral valve prolapse 10, 20, or even 30 years ago, this episode is for you — diagnostic criteria have tightened significantly since 2000, and what used to affect 10-15% of the population is now closer to 2%. In this episode, we cover: What mitral valve prolapse is and how the mitral valve works How MVP diagnosis has evolved since before 2000 (from stethoscope exam to echocardiogram) The real difference between mitral valve prolapse and mitral regurgitation Does MVP get worse over time? (the 90/10 breakdown) Will you need heart surgery for mitral valve prolapse or mitral regurgitation? Do you need antibiotics (SBE prophylaxis) before dental work if you have MVP? Why regular echocardiograms matter for long-term monitoring Hosted by Dr. Carolyn Lacey and Dr. Matt Devane, board-certified cardiologists bringing you clear, reliable heart health education every episode. Medical Disclaimer The Living Heart Smart podcast is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute the practice of medicine, nursing or other professional health care services, including the giving of medical advice, and no doctor/patient relationship is formed. The use of information on this podcast or materials linked from this podcast is at the user’s own risk. The content of this podcast is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Users should not disregard or delay in obtaining medical advice for any medical condition they may have and should seek the assistance of their health care professionals for any such conditions. #heart health, #coronary artery disease, #calcium score, #stress test Medical Disclaimer The Living Heart Smart podcast is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute the practice of medicine, nursing or other professional health care services, including the giving of medical advice, and no doctor/patient relationship is formed. The use of information on this podcast or materials linked from this podcast is at the user’s own risk. The content of this podcast is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Users should not disregard or delay in obtaining medical advice for any medical condition they may have and should seek the assistance of their health care professionals for any such conditions.
