the Human Body / mitral-valve-prolapse
Facts about Mitral Valve Prolapse
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A characteristic clicking sound heard through a stethoscope is a hallmark sign of mitral valve prolapse, caused by the sudden tensing of the valve leaflets.
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Women are diagnosed with mitral valve prolapse more frequently than men, though men tend to experience more serious complications from the condition.
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Mitral valve prolapse is diagnosed when one or both mitral valve leaflets bulge back into the left atrium by more than 2 millimeters during systole.
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In many cases, mitral valve prolapse causes no symptoms and is discovered incidentally during a routine cardiac examination.
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The most common abnormality of heart valves in developed countries, mitral valve prolapse affects approximately 2–3% of the general population.