Mitral valve prolapse--a review.

Mitral valve prolapse is one of the more common cardiac conditions in our community. The prevalence is difficult to assess due to differences in diagnostic criteria and population selection. The prevalence in the community has been estimated to be from 5 to 15%. In females there is a decline in prevalence with increasing age which is not observed in males. 30% of subjects with mitral valve prolapse have relatives with the same condition. Strahan et al suggested that mitral valve prolapse was inherited as an autosomal dominant trend with its manifestations modified by age and other factors.