Mitral Valve Prolapse and Anxiety: What Is the Link?

Symptoms of mitral valve prolapse may cause or increase anxiety for some people. Stress and anxiety may contribute to the development of heart problems but aren’t a common cause of mitral valve prolapse.

The heart’s mitral valve consists of two flaps of tissue called cusps. It’s located between the two chambers on the left side of your heart. The chamber on top is called the left atrium, while the lower chamber is called the left ventricle.

Mitral valve prolapse (MVP) is a common condition in which the cusps of the mitral valve collapse into the left atrium. This collapse can cause blood to backflow when your heart beats.

Some people with mitral valve prolapse may find having a heart condition stressful, even if it’s unlikely to cause any health complications. Prolonged anxiety and psychological stress, though, may contribute to the development of cardiovascular disease in general.

Other names for mitral valve prolapse

Mitral valve prolapse goes by several other names, such as:

• click-murmur syndrome
• floppy valve syndrome
• Barlow’s syndrome
• billowing mitral leaflets

Does mitral valve prolapse cause anxiety?

Anxiety isn’t a formal diagnostic criterion for mitral valve prolapse , but it can be an accompanying symptom.

Many people with mitral valve prolapse don’t have any physical symptoms or even know they have the prolapse. Often, the diagnosis comes after a doctor detects an abnormal heartbeat during a routine physical exam when listening to your heart with a stethoscope.

If symptoms are present, they can include:

• occasional or persistent chest pain or discomfort
• arrhythmia , an abnormal heart rhythm
• trouble breathing when moving
• awareness of heartbeat
• heart palpitations
• low blood pressure upon standing
• headaches
• fatigue
• dizziness
• a heart murmur that a doctor can hear with a stethoscope

Mitral valve prolapse is unlikely to cause health problems, but it’s natural to feel concerned or anxious if you receive a heart-related diagnosis. Also, symptoms such as heart palpitations or dizziness may lead to anxiety, especially if you don’t understand the cause.

A small percentage of people with mitral valve prolapse may need ongoing management with medications or surgery. The odds of needing treatment go up with increased blood backflow through the mitral valve, which is known as mitral regurgitation.

Does anxiety cause or worsen mitral valve relapse?

Chronic stress or anxiety can potentially contribute to the development of heart valve disease, but it’s not the most common cause of prolapse.

The underlying cause of mitral valve prolapse isn’t always known. The most common cause is overly stretchy cusps in your valve. Genetic diseases or health problems that affect the body’s connective tissue may also play a role.

Here’s how stress and anxiety may become a contributing factor:

Increased stress

Chronic stress can lead to changes in your body , such as elevated cortisol levels and increased inflammation. Chronic inflammation linked to stress has been associated with many conditions, such as:

• infectious diseases
• cardiovascular disease
• diabetes
• autoimmune disease
• some cancers

Stress-relieving coping habits

Some people with chronic stress or anxiety may develop coping habits that can damage heart health, such as smoking and alcohol intake . Smoking and heavy drinking both have the potential to induce heart damage.

Sleep quality

Chronic stress might also lead to difficulties with sleep quality, which can also contribute to the development of heart disease.

In a 2023 review , researchers found that people with insomnia were at an increased risk of all-cause mortality (death by any cause in a specific group) and cardiovascular disease compared with people without insomnia.

How to manage MVP-related anxiety

If you have significant anxiety related to your mitral valve prolapse, you may find it helpful to see a doctor for any specific questions or concerns. Occasionally, they may recommend medications, such as beta-blockers, to treat any symptoms you may have.

Doctors often recommend control visits every 3 to 5 years for people without mitral valve regurgitation and every year for people with regurgitation.

If your anxiety symptoms persist, you may want to consider working with a mental health professional on coping skills and relaxation strategies.

Takeaway

Mitral valve prolapse is a common heart condition in which the mitral valves invade the upper chamber of the left side of the heart. Some people develop symptoms such as heart palpitations or dizziness, which may lead to anxiety.

Also, chronic stress and anxiety can raise your risk of developing many different types of heart disease. Some researchers suggest that people with mitral valve prolapse may be at an increased risk of developing strokes, but research is mixed.