I am a 25 year old male that plays tons of competitive tennis(tournaments etc) since i was 12 keep in mind. I have been dealing with constant fluttering and skipping of beats for the past 10 months or so. I went and had a stress test/ekg and a heart monitor few weeks back and he was told this just rescent. The weird thing is this is common in women and less common in men. Something like 18% of women and 12% in men. I have not been able to sleep much the past 6 months or so and i just looked up my diagnosis. Anywa iv been worrying about dropping dead of aheart attack for a few months now or having open heart surgery. None of that is needed nor a thought in the doctors minds they assured me. Anyway, i looked it up and if anyone is interested or have had these symptoms, go to the doctor and he or she will probably diagnose it as MVP!
Understanding the Mitral Valve Prolapse Syndrome:
http://www.nursing.wright.edu/practice/mvp/default.htm
Here is some quotes that made me feel better:
"Many MVPers believe chest pains signal a heart attack. MVPS is not known to cause a heart attack. In general, severe narrowing and blockage of a coronary artery that supplies an area of heart muscle with blood causes a heart attack. This may lead to permanent damage of a portion of the heart muscle. MVPS neither narrows nor blocks coronary arteries, nor causes permanent damage to the heart muscle."
Palpitations, Extra Heart Beats, Forceful Heart Beat, Pounding Heart, Heart Flutter:
"People describe palpitations extra beats as a pounding sensation in their chest. Others say they feel a flipflop or fluttering. Arrhythmias disturbances in the heart rhythm such as atrial extra
beats (PACs), or premature ventricular extra systoles (PVCs) can cause palpitations. While some people feel each beat, others do not notice them. Often, after extra beats, people have a sensation that their heart stopped for a few seconds.
Skipped or extra beats are very common among MVPers and the general public. Sometimes they occur following the use of caffeine, alcohol, tobacco, or certain medications. Other times, emotional stress may cause extra beats. Sometimes they happen for no apparent reason. In any case, these beats are relatively common, and should not be a cause for alarm. An explanation of the heart's electrical system may help to understand extra beats."
"Although the relationship is not clear, many MVPers suffer from anxiety or panic attacks. The symptoms described are more consistent with panic disorder, the anxiety disorder studied most often in MVP patients. People have recurrent, spontaneous anxiety attacks that consist of various combinations of symptoms similar to some MVPS symptoms. These symptoms include: fatigue, fainting, dizziness, chest pain, lightheadedness, rapid heartbeat, heart palpitations, and shortness of breath.
The degree and mechanism of association between MVPS and anxiety disorders remains unclear. While some believe the symptoms cause anxiety attacks, others believe extraneous factors trigger attacks. They may occur anywhere, at anytime, even in the middle of the night. Whenever anxiety attacks do occur, they are frightening."
MVPers report other symptoms. Common ones include:
?chronically cold hands and feet
?gastrointestinal stomach disturbances
?problems with memory or a feeling of fogginess
?inability to concentrate
?mood swings
?problems sleeping
?numbness or tingling of the arms or legs
?arm, back, or shoulder discomfort
?difficulty swallowing
?lump in the throat
Anyway, I know its probably alot to read, so i quoted some stuff since no one wants to read a shitload of things about something they do not have. I just felt releived and i felt its important(at least to me). So thanks for taking the time to look and if you reply, I appreciate that as well.