What heart defect is associated with Marfan syndrome?
Individuals with Marfan syndrome may have significant cardiovascular problems such as a common heart defect known as mitral valve prolapse. The mitral valve is located between the left upper and left lower chambers (left atrium and left ventricle, respectively) of the heart.
How does Marfan’s syndrome affect the cardiovascular system?
Marfan syndrome can also cause mitral valve prolapse, a condition in which the flaps of your heart’s mitral valve become weak, floppy, or unable to close properly. This allows blood to flow backward and can cause symptoms like shortness of breath, heart palpitations, chest pain, and fatigue.
Does all Marfan syndrome affect the heart?
Less often, people have problems in blood vessels other than the aorta. Even though heart and blood vessel problems affect about 9 out of every 10 people diagnosed with Marfan syndrome, there is good news.
What heart sound is heard with Marfan syndrome?
Mitral valve prolapse increases the workload on the heart and may cause shortness of breath, feeling overly tired, or palpitations (fluttering in the chest). The abnormal flow may cause a heart murmur, which can be heard with a stethoscope.
What is the most common cardiac defect seen in Marfan’s syndrome?
The most common cardiovascular abnormalities are dilatation of the aorta and mitral regurgitation (table 2). Most children with Marfan’s syndrome have aortic root dilatation. The reported frequency of other valve abnormalities depends to some extent on the rigour of the method of assessment.
Is Marfan syndrome considered a disability?
If you are suffering from a severe case of Marfan syndrome and it has made you unable to work, you may be eligible to Social Security disability benefits. While people from all around the world, of all races and genders, can suffer from Marfan syndrome, the symptoms of the condition have a tendency to worsen with age.
Are people with Marfan’s always tall?
People with Marfan syndrome are usually tall and thin with unusually long arms, legs, fingers and toes. The damage caused by Marfan syndrome can be mild or severe.
What is the life expectancy with Marfan?
The mean life expectancy for untreated patients with Marfan syndrome is 32 years with aortic dissection, aortic rupture or cardiac failure due to mitral and aortic valve regurgitation as the predominant cause of death in > 90% of the cases.
How and why does Marfan syndrome affect the heart?
Marfan syndrome is an inherited disorder that affects connective tissue – the fibers that support and anchor your organs and other structures in your body. Marfan syndrome most commonly affects the heart, eyes, blood vessels and skeleton.
How does Marfan syndrome affect your heart and blood vessels?
How Does Marfan Syndrome Affect the Heart and Blood Vessels? Marfan syndrome can make your aorta, your body’s largest artery, stretch and become weak, and can result in: Aortic aneurysm , a bulge or weakened spot in your aorta. This condition does not always have symptoms, but depending on the location of the aneurysm, symptoms can include: Jaw pain
How can Marfan syndrome impact your heart health?
People who have Marfan syndrome can have weaker tissue than normal in their heart valves. This can produce stretching of the valve tissue and abnormal valve function. When heart valves don’t work properly, your heart often has to work harder to compensate. This can eventually lead to heart failure.
What are symptoms and effects of Marfan syndrome?
Most people with Marfan syndrome symptoms have abnormalities associated with the heart and blood vessels. Leaks in the heart valves can cause shortness of breath, fatigue, and a fast, irregular heartbeat.