I’m 29 years old and was recently diagnosed with mitral valve prolapse. Supposedly it’s not a big deal, as long as I take antibiotics before any kind of surgery, but I wanted to throw it out here for, hopefully, an informed athlete’s opinion. The doctor says there’s nothing to worry about as far as training and competing (training mostly for IMs and 1/2 IMs), and as long as I get an occasional echocardiogram and make sure it hasn’t progressed to MV regurgitations, everything should be fine.
I was curious if there were any cardiologist triathletes out there, or anyone with experience with this, that could back this up from an endurance training perspective. Is this a condition that can affect my training or performance? Is there anything (besides open-heart surgery) that I can do to treat this condition? Are there any other issues that someone with MVP should be aware of when putting in 15+ hour training weeks?
I am an exercise physiologist and triathlete, usually exercise is recommended for all patients with MVP, only people with certain symptoms and MVP are advised to avoid strenuous activity. Here is a link to a grea article on MVP that should help, http://www.physsportsmed.com/issues/1996/07_96/joy2.htm
I’ve got that and have had no problems whatsoever related to it. I’ve done one IM and a couple of 1/2’s with no problems. I don’t think it is something that needs to be treated. I go for an ultrasound every 2 years to keep my GP doctor happy and the only comments I get from the technicians is about my low RHR.
All of the responses seem to be written by young men. They are all correct. I competed for many years as a runner and in bike time trials, sub 17 for 5K and sub 1hour for 40K respectively. There were no problems. However, the cavalier attitude of some of the authors about seeing a GP to keep him/her happy is misplaced. Seeing a GP to keep YOU healthy is the point. Routine antibiotics before dental work, surgery, etc is well advised. So are the routine check ups, especially after 40. At 45 I got an infection on my heart valve. I had followed all of the precautions, but those of us unlucky enough to have mitral valve prolapse are susceptible to these infections at any time. It was my time. If caught early they are harmless. Mine wasn’t diagnosed. The result was the replacement of two valves with artificial valves. Afterwards I was afraid to do anything. After 13 years of sitting around I have been reborn as a triathlete. I guess the long and the short of it is to listen to your doctor, get a second opinion, and follow the routines religiously. Otherwise, have a great time training and racing!
Well, not from this one. You have the young(ish) part right though.
I hear you on the keeping me healthy part. I do the antibiotic thing (dentist won’t touch me without them) and I’ll be sure to keep up with the checkups.
Congratulations to you for getting back at it…must have been scary times all those years ago.
