In mitral valve prolapse, autonomic symptoms may be treated with which medication?

• A. Hyperlipidemia
• B. Autonomic dysfunction such as palpitations or tachyarrhythmias
• C. Aortic root enlargement
• D. Hypertension

Answer: (B)

Autonomic symptoms in mitral valve prolapse are best treated with medications that blunt sympathetic stimulation of the heart. Beta-blockers are the standard choice because they block beta-adrenergic receptors, which lowers heart rate and reduces contractility. This helps diminish palpitations and tachyarrhythmias that MVP patients often experience, and it can lessen related anxiety and chest discomfort.

Other options don’t address the autonomic symptoms specific to MVP: hyperlipidemia relates to lipid management, aortic root enlargement is a structural issue, and hypertension is a separate blood-pressure problem. While beta-blockers can help hypertension in some cases, their primary benefit here is reducing sympathetic effects on the heart to control MVP-related palpitations and tachyarrhythmias.