Mitral Valve Prolapse And Panic Attacks?

Hi Adam and Janice
Oh BOY! I could talk about this one all day. There is a very big connection between anxiety, panic disorder and mitral valve prolapse. I would like to see much more research done on this one. I also think panic disorder runs in families. My mother began to suffer from this when she went into menopause and it hit me in my thirties. I was diagnosed with MVP at age 35 (I always had a “murmur) and of course, just last year I had open heart mitral valve repair surgery. At the same time they found ASD (atrial septal defect, a hole in the heart) and fixed that. There is no question that I had more than my share of adrenaline coursing through my body and despite the fact that we were told it is all mental…IT IS NOT! How you deal with it is important and you can learn how to accept and calm your panic and anxiety…I suffered terribly in my thirties and even forties from this but through reading (many great books) and practicing was able to overcome it. Stlil, anxiety plays too large of a part in my life and fear has kept me from doing many things I would otherwise do. Fear of the fear! That is what anxiety is. This fall I hope to attend a 4-day intensive training seminar in women’s heart disease at Mayo Clinic in Rochester MN! This area of anxiety and MVP is something I want to really focus on!
Leslie

I began having panic attacts about the same time I was diagnosed with MR. I have seen some of the literature suggest there could be a relation. I lived with MR for about 10 years before self refering myself for surgery. The doctors could not agree on timing of surgery. Knowing something is wrong with you that could be life threating could possibly take a toll on you mentally and trigger an attack. That is my unscientific opinion

I also have been dianosed with moderate to severe Mitral valve prolaspe. I experience anxiety and panic attack at night, I wake up in the night with a sensation that I have drank 20 cups of coffee. I often cannot go back to sleep for several hours. J Harper

Have moderate to severe mitral stenosis. I experience “panic attacks” but am able to observe myself while going through the anxity. In other words, I watch my reactions but do not actually feel panic. I believe it has to do with palpitations that make my heart pound in and out of my chest.

I was diagnosed with MVP at age 4 and had it repaired 7 months ago at age 52. I was plagued with fairly random anxiety attacks into my thirties from the time I was in junior high. Haven’t had one since 1994. I used to call it “my nervous stomach” but they were hugely awful and am thankful to God that they are gone. Various meds did help. My Dad had his MVP replaced several years ago (as did his brother) but my Dad still has random panic/anxiety attacks. In the acclaimed book, “Confronting Mitral Valve Prolapse Syndrome” by Lyn Frederickson, MSN, she lists “Panic or Anxiety Attacks” third on her list of the ten most common symptoms. It is a very readable and clear book. It helped me to understand so much about my body when I read it a few years ago.

I am 62 years of age and was diagnosed with MR about 12 years ago (Mild). Then abour 4 months ago it got critical (Prolapse) and I underwent a mitral valve replacement. Since then, my physical being has improved and I am much more energetic, but I now suffer more from stress and anxiety. I tend to worry about small things about my family, which I would normally have taken in my stride. Sometimes it is for no apparent reason. Several people I know who have had heart surgery say they had this same problem which they overcame quite quickly, and that it was mainly worry about their physical health, which is understandable. My anxiety attacks are frequent and for no important reason. My doctor advised me to get plenty of exercise by walking, which I do every morning along the beach; about 2 to3 Km at a steady pace. This, and the sea air helps me relax considerably, but the relief is temporary. The condition is not improving. I meet with friends socially every day,a nd this I find helps, again temporarily. I was a drinker and smoker but have given up both since my operation. I will check your site regularly to see if there are more people who suffer from this seemingly minor drawback, which does not seem minor to the sufferer. Any feedback as to how to cope will be appreciated. Thankyou.

I was diagnosed with MVP at 21 and when under severe stress I have noticed I have palpitations. However, I have experienced the occasional panic attack. I am 48 and have not required surgery and hopefully never will.

I was diagnosed with MVP about 4 years ago and this year had a bout with endocarditus and am looking at surgery in the next couple of weeks. I have anxiety nearly every night. I fall asleep but wake within the hour and am up for several hours after. This happens nightly until I am exhausted and finally sleep one night fully to go through it again.

I am looking at doing the robotic minimally invasive process and hopefully fixing everything!

I’ve had panic attacks after my aorta repair, got put on Ativan and it works wonders – now I sleep through the night and feel great in the morning!

please STOP saying that there is NO conection. There is no connecion that has been found in our limited knowledge of medicine. People know live with people with MVP KNOW / EXPERIENCE that there is a definite connection. There is NO ambiguity.

I am 59 and diagnosed with Rheumtic valve disease that was, at first, a mild MVP. This continued to be my diagnosis for years. In 2013, I had breast cancer with segmental mastectomy, chemo, radiation and many hospitalizations for blood transfusions and lymphedema/cellulitis. At the start, I was diagnosed with moderate to severe mitral stenosis. The panic attacks started before the cancer and they are now part of my life. Reading what these sufferers endure along with me, I find comfort that I am NOT crazy. The attacks are dibilitating but short in duration. I know you’re thinking it’s all about the cancer but it isn’t. I have survived and had a negative PET scan Jan 2015. I have xanax for relief of panic but have only used it on occasion. Truthfully, I was hoping my upcoming MVR with porcine valve would be the answer to everything funky, but I may have to ever hold my Bible even closer.