mitral valve prolapse - some definitions

= if you have mitral valve prolapse, the flaps of the valve don't work well. one of the flaps moves back into the atrium when
the heart beats. this can let blood flow from the ventricle back into the atrium. (http://familydoctor.org/598.xml)

= mitral valve prolapse (mvp) is a disorder that affects one of your heart's valves — the mitral valve. it occurs when the
valve doesn't close correctly, allowing backward leaking of blood in your heart.(http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/mitral-valve-prolapse/DS00504)

= in a normal valve the flow of blood goes from the left atrium to the left ventricle. upon closing it prevents blood from
going back into the left atrium. with mvp the flaps don't close evenly. One or both flaps collapse backwards, sometimes
allowing a small amount of blood to leak through the valve. mitral valve prolapse is a genetic disorder and seems to affect
women three times more than men. it is one of the most common cardiac findings. there is usually no need to be concerned. the
heart is functioning perfectly normally and does not tend to degenerate over time. diagnosis is usually confirmed by an
echocardiogram, which provides an actual picture of the valve. (http://www.mitralvalveprolapse.com/INDEX.htm.htm)

= mitral valve prolapse (mvp) is a heart valve condition marked by the displacement of an abnormally thickened mitral valve
leaflet into the left atrium during systole.(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mitral_valve_prolapse)