Mitral Valve Prolapse

loseit4good64
loseit4good64 Posts: 16 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
I was just diagnosed with this...does anyone else out there suffer with this? I need encouragement!! I have gotten off of caffeine and eating a lot less sugar, but what other advice can you give me to live with this. As a Natural health Consultant I do know that taking Magnesium helps, as does CoQ10, and Vit B6. Can I still exercise? I want to start by at least walking. I want to avoid having anymore symptoms. They are sooo scary! I wake up 2-3 times a week with my chest feeling really weird and then I get the shakes and feel like I am going to pass out. This only lasts less than an hour, but it is not fun to go through. I know losing weight will help too and I am working hard on that. Thank you in advance for any advice !!!

Replies

  • Becoming_A_Butterfly
    Becoming_A_Butterfly Posts: 2,534 Member
    I was diagnosed with MVP years ago. The best thing I did was finally get consistent with workouts and start losing weight. Ever since I did that, my symptoms (palpitations, dizziness, etc.) are nearly non-existent. My doctor suggested cardio exercise to increase the efficiency of my heart, since it is pumping harder to push blood out thanks to the valve not shutting right.

    Your doctor should have given you clear guidelines and advice on how to manage your symptoms and what you can safely do. I can only speak from what my doctor told me about my situation, which may be different than yours. I strongly urge you to have a sit-down with your doctor about any limitations and guidelines specific to your case.
  • Becoming_A_Butterfly
    Becoming_A_Butterfly Posts: 2,534 Member
    I did some quick research, and here is part of an article I found about MVP and exercise:

    Exercise and Mitral Valve Prolapse

    The heart is a muscle and like any muscle, it gets stronger with exercise. Aerobic exercise strengthens the heart and makes it more efficient and is generally recommended for those with MVP. Aerobic exercise including walking, jogging, swimming, or cycling, at a moderate pace for 30 minutes at a time is the safest way to begin exercise. A person with MVP should monitor their heart rate and other symptoms and slow down if they feel their heart racing or lightheaded or faint.

    Mitral valve prolapse is generally not considered to be a life threatening or a progressive condition. MVP may be the most benign of the various types of heart murmurs. There are cases, however, where MVP poses significant health problems and in these cases valve replacement would be considered.

    http://sportsmedicine.about.com/od/anatomyandphysiology/a/MitralValve_MVP.htm
  • now_or_never13
    now_or_never13 Posts: 1,575 Member
    It is best to see your doctor and get their advice on what you should be doing. When it comes to anything medical it is best to get the advice from your doctor. What one person here can do with the same condition you may not be able to...
  • VelociMama
    VelociMama Posts: 3,119 Member
    I have MVP with regurgitation.

    You need to get an echocardiogram to see if you have any significant regurgitation and talk to your cardiologist about an appropriate exercise plan and possible medication.

    I can exercise fairly normally with mine, but I cannot get my HR up too high without a lot of pain and discomfort.

    Generally speaking, a lot of people have MVP and are asymptomatic. Your prognosis and restrictions will be based on your specific condition and symptoms.
  • shari67
    shari67 Posts: 9 Member
    Ditto That. I've was diagnosed in high school with MVP, I'm 45. My symptoms are nearly non-existent too and I just try to lead a healthy lifestyle and stay active, even though through the years my weight has fluctuated. Make sure your dr. is aware of your diet/exercise regimen.
  • perfectingpatti
    perfectingpatti Posts: 1,037 Member
    I have MVP. If I get my heart rate up for a long period of time (like when I was running marathons), I would get light headed, dizzy, and nauseous. Doing my normal cardio and circuit training now, I have no problems.
  • healthygreek
    healthygreek Posts: 2,137 Member
    I have MVP and I take 400 mg magnesium citrate a day and very very rarely have palpitations anymore. I do treadmill and elliptical for around 90 minutes daily and also lost weight.
  • loseit4good64
    loseit4good64 Posts: 16 Member
    Risingaboveit..THANK YOU so much!!! I feel so much better now. I am encouraged that I CAN exercise, I was afraid to before. I am switching Doctors because she didn't tell me much of anything. I really appreciate your advice and its nice to have people I can relate to!! :smile:
    I did some quick research, and here is part of an article I found about MVP and exercise:

    Exercise and Mitral Valve Prolapse

    The heart is a muscle and like any muscle, it gets stronger with exercise. Aerobic exercise strengthens the heart and makes it more efficient and is generally recommended for those with MVP. Aerobic exercise including walking, jogging, swimming, or cycling, at a moderate pace for 30 minutes at a time is the safest way to begin exercise. A person with MVP should monitor their heart rate and other symptoms and slow down if they feel their heart racing or lightheaded or faint.

    Mitral valve prolapse is generally not considered to be a life threatening or a progressive condition. MVP may be the most benign of the various types of heart murmurs. There are cases, however, where MVP poses significant health problems and in these cases valve replacement would be considered.

    http://sportsmedicine.about.com/od/anatomyandphysiology/a/MitralValve_MVP.htm
  • loseit4good64
    loseit4good64 Posts: 16 Member
    Thank you everyone for the great advice! I just want to start off walking , then see how I do.
  • Becoming_A_Butterfly
    Becoming_A_Butterfly Posts: 2,534 Member
    Risingaboveit..THANK YOU so much!!! I feel so much better now. I am encouraged that I CAN exercise, I was afraid to before. I am switching Doctors because she didn't tell me much of anything. I really appreciate your advice and its nice to have people I can relate to!! :smile:

    Switching doctors sounds like a great idea. When my doctor diagnosed me, he and I sat for quite a while, talking about what I should do, what to avoid, what to expect, how to stay healthy. He gave me specific guidelines and advice. Even though MVP is pretty common and most of the time not nearly as scary as it sounds, a doctor should understand that a diagnosis involving your heart is going to cause concern and should have taken time to talk about it with you.
  • dietstokes
    dietstokes Posts: 216 Member
    I have MVP. Was diagnosed years ago when I thought I was dying,, that's how much my chest hurt. Mostly now my symptoms show up more as anxiety (many people with MVP can have severe panic attacks). I tried cutting out caffeine, but I love the stuff, so I just make sure to have adequate water (more than the 8 cups a day). I also try to drink coconut water regularly as it has electrolytes. As far as exercise goes, I have completed several half marathons, and many smaller races with very little impact. My heart rate does go higher, but as I feel fine, i don't worry about it too much. My best advice, eat good for you, whole foods, cut down on caffeine, get a proper amount of sleep, make sure to do relaxation activities (yoga, meditation) and continue with increasing your cardio.

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