Mitral valve prolapse, also known as MVP, occurs in up to 5 percent of the general population and in 10 percent of young women, according to "Current Medical Diagnosis and Treatment." It affects the valve that helps the blood flow in the left side of the heart. Prolapse means the valve fails to close properly; sometimes allowing blood to flow backward into the chamber. Because it is sometimes asymptomatic, MVP can go undiagnosed for many years. Typically, any type of stimulant exacerbates mitral valve prolapse because the more excited the valve becomes, the greater its degree of dysfunction, according to Albemarle Pulmonary Medicine Associates.
Central Nervous System Stimulation
The central nervous system innervates the brain, heart and other organs. When stimulated, it brings the body to life. If you want to lift your arm, your intention goes to your brain. Your brain then relays a signal to the nerves and muscles of your arm and makes it possible for you to carry out the movement. Your visceral organs, the one you don't control mindfully, carry out their duties automatically without your input. However, the things that you do, eat, drink or breathe in can affect your organs via this autonomic branch of the nervous system.
Caffeine's Stimulant Properties
Although caffeine is used worldwide, it is a drug. "Dorland's Illustrated Medical Dictionary" defines a drug as any substance that affects the processes of the mind or body. Caffeine stimulates the central nervous system, then you experience an adrenaline-type surge of energy from it. This happens due to a complex process of blood vessel dilation and flooding of blood to your limbs and organs. The more caffeine you ingest, the more obvious its effects -- rapid heartbeat, flushing or jittery feeling. Even though your energy level rises, you become less coordinated due to hand and arm tremors. Some people experience a sensation of panic.
Effects on Mitral Valve
Like the other organs, your heart feels the effects of caffeine. It beats faster and harder, causing a defective mitral valve to work harder and less efficiently. Instead of closing tightly it lets blood backwash into the left ventricular chamber. Over time, this causes the wall of the ventricle to thicken in resistance. The thickened muscle wall causes a weaker, less effective beat. This splashing back of blood is called regurgitation, an action you might associate with vomiting.
Complications
The ventricle has an important job. It has to explode in a contraction to provide the force necessary to send the blood all over the body. While other forces help to move it along as it goes, the ventricular contraction needs to be strong and efficient. When this force is impaired, you would experience pain in the chest, difficulty breathing, fatigue and cough. The thickened ventricle walls produce less blood available to nourish your body.
Recommendations
Mitral valve prolapse tends to run in families. If anyone in your immediate family has it, you need to speak to your physician about detecting the condition in your own heart. Only a small number of people with MVP go on to have serious complications, but knowing you have it affords you the opportunity to avoid substances such as caffeine that may aggravate the situation.
References
- Current Medical Diagnosis and Treatment; Stephen J. McPhee, M.D. and Maxine A. Papadakis, M.D., 2010
- Dorland's Illustrated Medical Dictionary, 31st. ed.; Saunders Elsevier; 2007
- Albemarle Pulmonary Medicine Associates; Mitral Valve Prolapse
