Although most MVP patients rarely experience problems, complications can occur, including:
Heart rhythm problems (ventricular arrhythmias). Irregular heartbeats commonly happen in the upper heart chambers, and are bothersome but not typically life-threatening. Those with a severely deformed mitral valve or those with severe mitral valve regurgitation are most at risk of arrhythmia, which can affect the flow of blood through the heart.
Heart valve infection (infective endocarditis). The inside of the heart is lined with a thin membrane called the endocardium. Having an abnormal mitral valve increases your chance of developing infective endocarditis from bacteria, which can damage the mitral valve even more.
Severe mitral regurgitation. Regurgitation is the most common complication, when the blood leaks back into the left atrium. You are at increased risk of regurgitation if you are a male with high blood pressure. If regurgitation is too severe, you may need valve surgery to prevent heart disease and cardiac arrest.