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Mitral Valve Prolapse Center - Idaho Falls, ID

Idaho Falls Cardiologist Doctors for Mitral Valve Prolapse

Type of Physician: Cardiologist

What is a Cardiologist?

A subspecialty certification by the Board of Internal Medicine; practitioners are expert in diseases of the heart, lungs and blood vessels. They consult with surgeons on heart surgery, perform diagnostic procedures, and manage complex conditions such as heart attacks and arrhythmias (abnormal heartbeat).

Specialty: Cardiology

Common Name: Heart Doctor

Cardiologist Doctors in Idaho Falls *

Eastern Idaho Medical Consultants
Tiffany C Coughenour
3200 Channing Way
STE 205
Idaho Falls, ID 83404
(208) 535-4300

Eastern Idaho Medical Consultants
Douglas N Whatmore
3200 Channing Way
STE 205
Idaho Falls, ID 83404
(208) 535-4300

Pocatello Cardiology
Douglas K Boehm
777 Hospital Way
STE 101
Pocatello, ID 83201
(208) 234-2001

Pocatello Cardiology
Benjamin F Call
777 Hospital Way
STE 101
Pocatello, ID 83201
(208) 234-2001

Pocatello Cardiology
David M Gonzalez
777 Hospital Way
STE 101
Pocatello, ID 83201
(208) 234-2001

Portneuf Valley Medical Clinic
Ronald W Louks
777 Hospital Way
Pocatello, ID 83201
(208) 239-2260

Idaho Falls, Idaho

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Mitral Valve Prolapse (MVP)

What is mitral valve prolapse?

Mitral valve prolapse (also known as "click murmur syndrome" and "Barlow's syndrome") is the most common heart valve abnormality, affecting five to ten percent of the world population. A normal mitral valve consists of two thin leaflets, located between the left atrium and the left ventricle of the heart. Mitral valve leaflets, shaped like parachutes, are attached to the inner wall of the left ventricle by a series of strings called "chordae." When the ventricles contract, the mitral valve leaflets close snugly and prevent the backflow of blood from the left ventricle into the left atrium. When the ventricles relax, the valves open to allow oxygenated blood from the lungs to fill the left ventricle.

In patients with mitral valve prolapse, the mitral apparatus (valve leaflets and chordae) becomes affected by a process called myxomatous degeneration. In myxomatous degeneration, the structural protein collagen forms abnormally and causes thickening, enlargement, and redundancy of the leaflets and chordae. When the ventricles contract, the redundant leaflets prolapse (flop backwards) into the left atrium, sometimes allowing leakage of blood through the valve opening (mitral regurgitation). When severe, mitral regurgitation can lead to heart failure and abnormal heart rhythms. Most patients are totally unaware of the prolapsing of the mitral valve. Others may experience a number of symptoms discussed below.

The mitral valve prolapse (MVP) syndrome has a strong hereditary tendency, although the exact cause is unknown. Affected family members are often tall, thin, with long arms and fingers, and straight backs. It is seen most commonly in women from 20 to 40 years old, but also occurs in men.

What are the signs and symptoms of mitral valve prolapse?

Most people with mitral valve prolapse have no symptoms, however, those who do commonly complain of symptoms such ...

Recommended Reading Related to Mitral Valve Prolapse (MVP)

How the Heart Works »

Intoduction to How The Heart Works

Your heart is an amazing organ. It continuously pumps oxygen and nutrient-rich blood throughout your body to sustain life. This fist-sized powerhouse beats (expands and contracts) 100,000 times per day, pumping five or six quarts of blood each minute, or about 2,000 gallons per day.

How Does Blood Travel Through the Heart?

As the heart beats, it pumps blood through a system of blood vessels, called the circulatory system. The vessels are elastic, muscular tubes that carry blood to every part of the body.

Blood is essential. In addition to carrying fresh oxygen from the lungs and nutrients to your body's tissues, it also takes the body's waste products, including carbon dioxide, away from the tissues. This is necessary to sustain life and promote the health of all the body's tissues.

There are three main types of blood vessels:

  • Arteries. They begin with the aorta, the l...

Emergency Contact for Idaho Falls

  • In case of Emergency, call 911

Nearby Idaho Falls Hospitals *

Idaho Falls Recovery Center
1957 E 17th St
Idaho Falls, ID 83404
(208)529-5285

Mountain View Hospital
2325 Coronado St
Idaho Falls, ID 83404
(208)557-2700

Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center
3100 Channing Way
Idaho Falls, ID 83404
(208)529-6111

Bingham Memorial Hospital
98 Poplar St
Blackfoot, ID 83221
(208)785-4100

State Hospital South
700 E Alice St
Blackfoot, ID 83221
(208)785-1200

Madison Memorial Hospital
450 E Main St
Rexburg, ID 83440
(208)356-3691

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