Hello - i was diagnosed as having mild mitral valve prolapse with little regurgitation about 5 years ago and I am concerned with the fact that my average resting heart rate is always 90-105 bpm. i am a 22 year old female and about 50 lbs overweight. I am also very sedentary. I am taking steps in my diet and activity level to lose the weight. Does the high heart rate have to do with the MVP? or is it my sedentary lifesyle/diet? Will doing cardio and losing weight lower my resting heart rate to more normal levels and reduce the possibility for mitral valve replacement surgery or other heart surgery later? Please any advice would be appreciated. thanks!

I have a condition called postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome, which means basically that I also have a very fast heart rate. My resting HR is usually in the 90s, and when I am sick and/or nervous about something it can go as high as 140s or beyond. It is a form of orthostatic intolerance, which I believe mitral vavlve also is. If you're having symptoms from your tachycardia, you could always consider requesting a beta blocker from your doctor. A low dose can regulate your heart beats and slow them down, and stabilize blood pressure.

Hi again. my blood pressure has always been normal. I am also concerned about how my high heart rate will affect a pregnancy. Will it put me in a high risk category? My husband and I were planning on trying for a baby but I wanted to get healthy first. is postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome dangerous? is it fatal?

I can't say for sure, but I've been lead to believe that tachycardia in itself is not a danger. I have a brother with Mitral Valve and have heard all my life that it is also not dangerous or fatal. As for POTS, I'm still learning about my condition, but everything I've read and been told has indicated that POTS is not dangerous or fatal, though I do not know how a rapid heart rate would affect a pregancy. No doctor I've seen yet has ever said anything to me about being careful if I have a baby, or anything like that, and I guess they would've if it were a big concern. If I were you, I'd see an autonomic specialist. They usually fall under the category of cardiology, and they specialize in things like rapid heart rate conditions. As long as your heart is structurally normal (you can find that out by having various heart tests) then you shouldn't really be at risk just because of the tachycardia. I'm going to look into it further as well in the future and will be sure to post any info my doctor gives me!

Hi, my resting heart rate is usually around 104 - 112, got results from stress test, echo and holter monitor today. Dr said nothing to worry about, my heart beats normally and is steady. He did tell me to go on the south beach diet cos i am 50lbs overweight also(started last week), and since being on it my rest HR has been in the 90 range. Dr took my average HR from the holter test and said it is 94, he said not to worry, and exercise more.