| Mitral Valve Prolapse Syndrome with | | | | medications can be prescribed so you can live |
| dysautonomia is a potentially disabling disorder that | | | | without panic attacks, extreme nervousness, |
| is difficult to control. Once you learn how, you can | | | | depression, or even migraine headaches. Every |
| live a normal life again. | | | | patient is different. |
| To begin, contact a knowledgeable cardiologist, | | | | Two musts for all MVSP/D patients are exercise |
| who specializes in MVPS/D. Some patients have | | | | and rest. The easiest exercise is a daily, half-hour |
| to carry literature to inform their local doctors. | | | | walk at least four times weekly. If it’s too |
| Before I found my good cardiologist, I read the | | | | cold or hot outside, find an indoor place. A |
| few books and articles available then and gave | | | | treadmill or stationery bicycle can be used. Yet |
| the copied articles to my doctor. He then | | | | adequate rest is necessary to recondition your |
| arranged for a cardiologist, specialized in MVPS/D, | | | | body with adequate exercise. |
| to visit the clinic monthly. | | | | The final necessity lies in diet. Intake no |
| The cardiologist might need to prescribe | | | | stimulants, which include caffeine and sugar and |
| medications for your many and varied symptoms. | | | | many food preservatives. Most MVPS/D patients |
| Not all MVPS/D patients take medications. If you | | | | have low blood volume, so it is vital to drink |
| can tolerate your symptoms, as my son chose to | | | | enough liquids daily. A good equation is one ounce |
| do, you don’t need drugs. If you cannot | | | | of non-alcoholic fluid to every degree of the |
| control your chest pain, the doctor may prescribe | | | | outside temperature. Thus, if the day is 70 |
| a beta blocker. If your nervous system gets out | | | | degrees, drink 70 ounces. In the winter, drink |
| of balance and a dysautonomia sets in, other | | | | eight, eight-ounce glasses daily. |