Epidemiology of symptomatic mitral valve prolapse in black patients.

This study analyzed the charts of 743 black patients who visited the emergency rom of a Nashville Hospital with symptoms of chest pain, palpitation, or fatigue. One hundred sixty-five met the criteria for the diagnosis of mitral valve prolapse (MVP). Epidemiologic factors of symptomatic MVP in blacks (ie, symptoms reported based on age and sex) were examined to determine whether there are significant differences in the prevalence of symptomatic MVP with relation to black males and females. Similarities were found in the patterns of the ages of both males and females and the symptoms that were reported. No significant differences were found between black males and females, which does not support previous findings.