MVP (Mitral Valve Prolapse) is when the mitral valve in the heart does
not close after pumping blood out – blood comes back into the heart
instead of it all going out into the body which is called regurgitation.
When it gets bad enough that the body isn’t getting enough, or the
heart enlarges because it has to work so hard, you have heart surgery
and get a new valve. My nephew has a pig valve (which wears out after
so many years and has been replaced) or a stainless steel one like my
Dad. He sounds like the crocodile in Pinocchio. People can go for
years without needing the surgery. My doc expects me to be able to wait
until I’m at least 60 (13 years from now.
Hope that very unmedical explanation helps!
Donna