My 60th year has proven to be rather significant - Lost most of my work and income due to the pandemic. My Mother passed away 2 months ago and most recently in my yearly Check-Up with my Doctor, after having my first ever full Heart Ultrasound done, as part of that yearly check-up, it was determined that I have a minor case of Mitral Valve Prolapse(MVP).
Dr Google - told me that because I am asymptomatic, the MVP really only picked up via Ultrasound, and that I have been very active since I was in my mid teens, and continue to be right to this day (rode 100km last weekend in just over 3 hours!), that I really should not be worried at all about this. However, my Doctor said that they will do the Ultrasound on me yearly now, as part of my yearly physical. To monitor the situation.
One thing became readily apparent when talking to my Doctor, even though he knows me well, he knows VERY little about 60 year old’s who continue to engage in sub-elite style physical activity and “training”. I’m guessing we are an uncommon bunch! I’m probably he only one in his practice.
Wondering what other’s experiences have been with MVP!
Hey Fleck,
I’ve had MVP with moderate regurgitation my entire life and I’m in my mid 50s. Just n=1 data point. I’ve been asymptomatic and the only real activity restrictions I’ve ever been given were no cycle sprint or max power lifting…no real danger of me doing that anyway so its been largely just a ‘monitor’ situation with yearly stress/echo. I still have to take antibiotics before dental procedures ( I think the regurg has been what has dictated most of it).
I have mvp and regurgitation…no issues. I am 53 and a competitive age grouper…mostly long distance tri and marathons. Doc monitors but is not concerned. Good luck! Talk to your doc, and do what is comfortable for you:) Hang in there and try not to worry.
Is your doctor that you are referring to primary care or a cardiologist? I would question the need for yearly echocardiogram if you are asymptomatic and only have “minor” MVP.
MD here (but not a cardiologist).
Minor degrees of MVP are a relatively common finding and really no cause for concern if everything else is in keeping with your age and level of function (which is all appears to be).
Echo’s are simple and quick. I can’t speak to the recommended frequency for monitoring with one in your situation, will have to see if there are any guidelines specific to MVP out there…honestly would not be too worried if they are yearly but yearly does seem quite frequent given your current situation.
Mitral valve prolapse (MVP) is a relatively common condition. There are probably many people who have it…but don’t know it.
The comments from the others above are good.
You can read about the most up-to-date recommendations in the cardiology community on the issue of MVP and athletes in this recent article from the Sports Cardiology section of the European Association of Preventive Cardiology.
You will see a couple short sections about MVP on pages 4 and 5 of the .pdf version. For most athletes, the condition is not worrisome. For a small subset, there is an increased chance of arrhythmias and there are some recommendations about how to identify athletes who are most at risk.
Yearly echocardiogram can provide some reassurance–to both doctor(s) and athlete, alike–that there is no problem with valve regurgitation that may sometimes occur over time. In the USA, echocardiograms done for the purpose of monitoring are typically covered by insurance (unlike those done for screening purposes).
There are two large “support groups” of athletes with various heart conditions that may be a source of networking with fellow athletes who also have MVP and can share their experiences:
Reassuring. I must admit as a life long endurance sports athlete who has been doing things at a high level since I was 15 and I’m 60 now, and I have had some modest success along the way, to be told, that “you have a problem with your heart”, however, minor is a bit sobering.