Mitral valve prolapse (MVP) is a common abnormality in the heart valves that affects about 176 million people worldwide. While it’s not life-threatening, MVP is not something worth setting aside either, as it can make moving about quite uncomfortable.
So, let’s tackle the factors that increase your chances of getting MVP. Read on to learn more!
1. Age
While people from all age groups can get MVP, its effects and complications may be worse on older people. According to one research study, men who are 50 years of age and older might experience more pansystolic murmurs than younger men.
Another cause might have to do with genes…
2. Inherited Disorders
Mitral valve prolapse is highly hereditary and having certain conditions like muscular dystrophy, Marfan syndrome, Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, or Graves’ disease, can increase the chance of getting MVP at some point in life.
Our next factor is something a lot of people are all too familiar with…
3. High Blood Pressure
Having elevated blood pressure can trigger mitral valve regurgitation, a common MVP complication, especially if you’re male. But even if you don’t have high blood pressure, sometimes having mitral valve regurgitation causes you to develop it.
Having micronutrient deficiencies affects your body in many more ways than you think, which explains the next potential cause of MVP…
4. Magnesium Deficiency
According to a Polish study, patients who have severe cases of mitral valve prolapse tend to lack magnesium. This apparent deficiency of magnesium hinders relief in other symptoms such as chest pain, shortness of breath, fatigue, heartbeat problems, and anxiety.
Your spine can also affect the development of MVP…
5. Scoliosis
Scoliosis can sometimes have complications that affect the heart. Such problems have also been linked to mitral valve prolapse complications, though the exact reason, whether it is caused by the abnormal development of the valve and the spine, or by the deformity of the upper body, is still unclear.
As far as an external factor that could lead to the development of MVP, smoking might not be the best idea. Here’s why…
6. Smoking
As we know, cigarettes contain nicotine and other toxic chemicals that can potentially damage the heart. It’s even more dangerous to do so when you have MVP because it might cause mitral valve regurgitation and even heart attacks. If you smoke, talk to your doctor about ways to help you stop.
Alcohol consumption is yet another habit that might negatively impact your health…
7. Alcohol Consumption
Excessive drinking of alcoholic beverages has never been a good idea, even more so when you have mitral valve prolapse. Doing so can severely exacerbate symptoms and might even lead to mitral regurgitations.
The next factor is another beverage that can have adverse effects on your health…
8. Caffeine
Some people enjoy coffee to get through the day, but too much of it can be a bad thing. As a stimulant, caffeine increases the heart rate, and some people end up suffering from severe heart palpitations because of it. It’s important to keep caffeine consumption at a healthy amount so that your heart stays healthy, too.
Physical and emotional tensions can take their toll on the heart as well…
9. Stress
The American Heart Association points out that while stress, does not directly cause heart ailments, it can still affect the heart by causing poor blood flow to the heart muscle, irregular heartbeats, and even chest pains. This is another reason why it’s important to find ways to reduce stress, such as taking walks, eating healthy foods, and drinking plenty of water each day.
Some factors have no physical form, and they’re quite tricky to treat, just like the last cause…
10. Mental Health Problems
People who suffer from anxiety, panic attacks, and depression are at an increased risk of developing mitral valve prolapse. Bouts of these conditions often trigger palpitations, breathlessness, and chest pains. Talking with a mental health professional is a great place to start in terms of taking care of your mental health.
