The mitral valve is the heart valve which lies between the left atrium and left ventricle. It has two leaflets, or cusps and opens and closes when pulled by it’s supporting struts that are attached to muscles in the left ventricle.

Mitral valve prolapse (MVP), is the situation in which one or both of the mitral valve cusps is pushed back up into the left atrium when the heart contracts. This may be due to enlargement of one or both valve leaflets or if some of their supporting "struts" are too long. When the heart contracts in this condition, and the valve leaflets move into the left atrium a leak arises so that blood is pushed backwards or regurgitates in to the atrium. This may cause a heart murmur which the doctor may hear with his stethescope.

Should we treat mitral valve prolapse?
Most patients with MVP have no symptoms and no problems and therefore usually they will not need treatment. Some patients with MVP experience infrequent sharp chest pain which may require treatment.
People with MVP were advised to have prophylactic antibiotics to prevent infection of the valve leaflets (endocarditis) before certain surgical or dental procedures likely to cause bleeding. This recommendation is no longer considered appropriate but it is best to seak advie as your doctor is in the best situation to determine if antibiotics are needed in your particular circumstance.