MedicineNet

Mitral Valve Prolapse Center - Pocatello, ID

Pocatello 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 Pocatello *

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

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, Idaho

Upcoming Local Events

2012-06-09
Nock the Rock Half Marathon
Soda Springs, Idaho
2012-06-16
Scenic River Classic
Idaho Falls, Idaho
2012-06-17
The Virtual Father's Day Run - Pocatello
Throughout Pocatello, Idaho
2012-06-17
The Virtual Father's Day Run - Idaho Falls
Throughout Idaho Falls, Idaho
2012-07-21
Bike for Kids Idaho
Idaho Falls, Idaho
2012-09-01
2012-09-15
Simplot Greenway Run 2012
Pocatello, Idaho
2012-09-15
Tour de Vins 2012
Pocatello, Idaho
2012-11-11

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 Pocatello

  • In case of Emergency, call 911

Nearby Pocatello Hospitals *

Portneuf Medical Center West Campus
651 Memorial Dr
Pocatello, ID 83201
(208)239-1000

Portneuf Medical Center East Campus
777 Hospital Way
Pocatello, ID 83201
(208)239-1000

Beacon Hospital & Rehabilitation
1200 Hospital Way
Pocatello, ID 83201
(208)232-2570

Harms Memorial Hospital
510 Roosevelt St
American Falls, ID 83211
(208)226-3200

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

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

*Provider Directory Terms of Use:

The WebMD 'Provider Directory' is provided by WebMD for use by the general public as a quick reference of information about Providers. The Provider Directory is not intended as a tool for verifying the credentials, qualifications, or abilities of any Provider contained therein. Inclusion in the Provider Directory does not imply recommendation or endorsement nor does omission in the Provider Directory imply WebMD disapproval.

You are prohibited from using, downloading, republishing, selling, duplicating, or "scraping" for commercial or any other purpose whatsoever, the Provider Directory or any of the data listings or other information contained therein, in whole or in part, in any medium whatsoever.

The Provider Directory is provided on an "AS-IS" basis. WebMD disclaims all warranties, either express or implied, including but not limited to the implied warranties of merchantability and fitness for particular purpose. Without limiting the foregoing, WebMD does not warrant or represent that the Provider Directory or any part thereof is accurate or complete. You assume full responsibility for the communications with any Provider you contact through the Provider Directory. WebMD shall in no event be liable to you or to anyone for any decision made or action taken by you in the reliance on information provided in the Provider Directory.

The use of WebMD Provider Directory by any entity or individual to verify the credentials of Providers is prohibited. The database of Provider information which drives WebMD Provider Directory does not contain sufficient information with which to verify Provider credentials under the standards of the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO), National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) of the Utilization Review Accreditation Committee (URAC).

By using the WebMD Provider Directory, you agree to these Terms and Conditions.