What symptom is typically seen in patients suffering from mitral valve prolapse?

Mitral valve prolapse (MVP) is a condition where one or both of the mitral valve leaflets bulge into the left atrium during the heart's contraction. Palpitations are a common symptom associated with this condition, and they can occur due to various reasons, including the irregular heart rhythms that may arise from the altered mechanics of the mitral valve. Patients often describe feeling a fluttering sensation or a racing heart, which directly correlates with MVP.

While fatigue, chest pain, and shortness of breath can also be present in some patients, they are not specific indicators of mitral valve prolapse. Fatigue might stem from other underlying issues or overall poor health, chest pain can be due to many factors including anxiety or musculoskeletal pain, and shortness of breath can arise from various cardiovascular or pulmonary conditions. In contrast, palpitations are more uniquely attributed to MVP because the abnormal valve function affects the heart's rhythm, making them the most characteristic symptom associated with mitral valve prolapse.