Do you know which foods to avoid with mitral valve prolapse? Knowing can improve your symptoms.
MVP symptoms can be troublesome and frustrating. Sometimes, they can be downright scary. This is especially true for newly diagnosed patients, who are often introduced to a variety of new ailments in an abrupt manner. Palpitations. Trouble breathing. Panic. Chest pains. Fatigue. Well, you know.
The good news is that MVP isn’t usually a death sentence. It doesn’t have to take over your life! Most patients have options, and the symptoms of the disorder can be controlled if the necessary lifestyle changes are made and maintained. Just eliminating certain foods from one’s diet can greatly reduce the frequency and severity of any symptoms when you’re living with mitral valve prolapse.
Yes, it will mean giving up some of the things that you love, but that’s a small price to pay to be able to lead a full and active life. The following foods in particular are notorious for triggering symptoms of the condition. Avoid these and you will almost certainly see your quality of life improve…
Foods to Avoid with Mitral Valve Prolapse
1. Coffee
Coffee is not tolerated well by most mitral valve prolapse patients, particularly those who are symptomatic. That is because it contains stimulants, primarily caffeine. Depending on the brewing method and alkaloid content of the particular bean, one cup can contain up to 300 milligrams.
Caffeine stimulates the autonomic nervous system, which produces an unstable state. This system regulates and controls virtually every bodily system and function, including breathing, heart rate, and blood pressure. When the ANS becomes unstable, body functions slow down or speed up inappropriately. This can have a significant effect on symptoms. Usually, when people with MVP drink coffee, heart palpitations become stronger and more noticeable, and then anxiety attacks may be triggered.
2. Tea
Tea also contains caffeine. Additionally, it comprises three other stimulants: theobromine, theophylline, and L-theanine. An average cup has up to 60 mg of caffeine and 1 mg of theophylline. Theophylline is about as potent as caffeine. Theobromine is seven times weaker than caffeine and theophylline.
Although tea contains a lot less caffeine than coffee, the other three stimulants produce a synergistic effect. Together, the four stimulants can cause an imbalance in the autonomic nervous system that can trigger or worsen mitral valve prolapse symptoms like palpitations, chest pain, and dizziness.
3. Alcohol
The heart relies on an internal pacemaker system to keep blood pumping consistently and at the correct speed. Alcohol consumption interferes with this process, making the heart beat rapidly or irregularly. People with MVP should avoid alcohol because it can cause arrhythmias and worsen symptoms.
Heavy drinking of alcohol can cause alcoholic cardiomyopathy. This toxic effect dilates the heart, injures the heart muscle, and diminishes function. This dilation of the heart can lead to leaky cardiac valves. Alcohol is often cited as one of the main foods to avoid with mitral valve prolapse.
4. Chocolate
The main ingredients in chocolate are cocoa and sugar. Cocoa contains significant amounts of theophylline and theobromine, as well as small amounts of caffeine. Mitral valve prolapse and caffeine don’t mix! A 30-gram bar of milk chocolate has about as much caffeine as a cup of decaf.
Eating chocolate causes a spike in blood sugar levels, which releases insulin and leads to a sudden drop in blood sugar. This can cause irregular heartbeats that are augmented by the stimulants present in chocolate. People with the mitral prolapse condition should avoid eating any type of chocolate.
5. Sweets/Candy
Sweets and candies are a no-no if you want to avoid MVP symptoms. Many sweets contain rapidly digesting carbohydrates, such as refined flour and sugar. Their easily digestible nature allows the body to absorb the sugar into the bloodstream very quickly once ingested, affecting blood glucose levels.
Your blood sugar spikes. As a result, the pancreas is stimulated to release insulin that causes a rapid decrease in blood sugar. The sudden drop often results in rapid heartbeats and a shaky sensation, and it can trigger panic attacks. Sweets and candies are foods to avoid with mitral valve prolapse.
6. SOFT DRINKS/SODAS
Soft drinks and sodas normally contain carbonated water, flavoring, coloring, and 7-12% sugar. Most also contain artificial sweeteners like aspartame, which disrupt the body’s control of blood sugar.
As with chocolate, sweets, and candies, when you have a soft drink or soda, your blood sugar spikes suddenly, causing the release of insulin by the pancreas. This is followed by a rapid drop that triggers or worsens the symptoms of mitral valve prolapse. Cola and some fizzy drinks also contain 5-7 mg of caffeine, which adds to the problem and can bring on anxiety, panic attacks, and heart palpitations.
7. FRUIT JUICE
Fruit juices are widely thought to be healthy, because, well, they contain fruit, but know this: fruit juice is loaded with sugar, making it one of the foods to avoid with mitral valve prolapse. Even 100% pure varieties have a high sugar concentration. A 12-ounce serving of apple juice can pack 39 grams!
The main problem with fruit juice is the processing. You don’t get the fiber and antioxidants that are found in the skins and seeds. Also, the body absorbs juice much more quickly than it does whole fruits, which messes with your blood sugar and ultimately triggers or aggravates MVP symptoms.
Cathy Edwards
I like what you said about fruit juices. People tend to think they’re doing themselves good by drinking fruit juices, and most of them refuse to hear otherwise, my family included. Every nutrient in a fruit is concentrated in its fibre, not the juice we get out. One of my close friends has MVP, and he learned the hard way to avoid fruit juices. This is a great article for people like him. I’ll send him this link.
admin
Thanks, Cathy. Yup, fruit juice can be a baddie for people living with MVP — even those living without it. Hope your friend is okay. Thanks for sharing =)
George Santiago
Since this post is about foods to avoid with mvp, thought I’d mention some foods that have helped me keep the symptoms at bay: salt and water. I know, sounds so simple, but water can cure practically everything, can’t it? 🙂
admin
Hi George. Thanks for sharing. I wouldn’t say that water can cure anything, but the body definitely needs it — much more of it than most of us get in! Salt seems to help relieve MVP symptoms, but I would be mindful about the quantities. Stay well =)
Benjamin Derr
Yes, take it easy on the salt indeed. Just did some research on this issue and learned that toxic substances like lead and mercury in our body causes a number of health issues, maybe even MVP, and water is the best source to filter them out. So yes, drink lots of water, at least 2 quarts a day. Moreover, people with MVP should probably give up on fats too. I didn’t see it mentioned here, so thought I’d add it.
admin
Thanks for commenting, Ben. 🙂
Mark Bomet
A friend of mine has MVP and is a huge coffee-lover. His doctor told him that he should avoid coffee or at least reduce intake. I know the problem with coffee is the caffeine, so wouldn’t decaf be a better option?
admin
Hi Mark. Well, decaf contains lower quantities of caffeine, so it is probably the better option. I would still avoid it completely, though. In fact, I do. Also, some people add sugar, which is worth staying away from — for a number of reasons. 🙂
Lea
Well, I guess today will be my last day of enjoying chocolate and Dr. Pepper’s. Maybe, I can find a happy medium of living without the “good” comfort foods.
nycs
Is it ok to take beta blockers AFTER drinking alcohol because it increases my heart rate?
admin
Hi nycs. I advise you to check with your doctor, but in my opinion it is not safe before or after. Alcohol and beta blockers have a depressive effect. Mixing the two can cause a dangerous drop in heart rate and blood pressure — especially if you’re drinking a lot.
Treasha Tresner
Personal experience! I was diagnosed with MVP as well as Right bundle branch block. I was prescribed a beta blocker. I was also consuming alcohol (abusing alcohol)., mixing the two… my Heart did in fact stop during sleep. Beta blockers are meant to slow the heart rate. Too much is not good. Do not take mors then prescribed. Fyi: I have since discontinued beta blocker, any and all stimulants ie: coffee soda exc. No alcohol no tobacco no drugs. Take your Heart and Health seriouse!!! God bless♥
kate
Hi! How about the natural fruit juices with no sugar added? Should it be avoided also?
admin
Hi Kate. “No added sugar” is good, but this doesn’t mean there is no sugar in the product. The juice will still have naturally occurring fruit sugar, just without any extra sugar on top of this.
Dina
I completely stopped drinking any coffee, tea and cola drinks and I’ve noticed that it did help a lot with the palpitations. Some of the other stuff that helped too are eating a banana daily and having yogurt with raisins for breakfast or as a snack. Both bananas and raisins contain potassium, which helps to maintain a steady heart rate.
Michelle
Is drinking a low amount of alcohol ok if you have mild MVP? Would a low amount of alcohol actually worsen the condition? Or just aggravate symptoms but not cause harm?
admin
Hi Michelle. Even low amounts of alcohol can aggravate symptoms and worsen the condition over time. Your doc should be able to tell you more about your particular risks.
Alli
I’ve noticed a definite change or sensitivity within my body, especially my heart, as I get older. My mvp symptoms are now aggravated by the slightest thing. I completely stay away from sweets and candies. What has been described above is what I’ve experienced, and it can be frightening. No caffeine for me, and even decaf tea, I’ve noticed, produces the same symptoms as regular caffeinated tea. This is a great article. I’ll keep it in my favorites. Thank you.
admin
Hi Alli. You’re welcome, thanks for your comment. Yes, it can be frightening. Best to just avoid sugar and caffeine products altogether.
Crystal
I have just recently found out that I have this. I’m working on getting the caffeine out of my life. Is sprite bad to drink having this?
admin
Hi Crystal. Sprite may not aggravate your symptoms as much as beverages that contain caffeine, but it’s still bad for you. Especially if you’re drinking it every day.
Tamil
Thank you so much, this is a great article for mvp patients. I have mvp, and four years later I’m still taking beta blockers. I stopped drinking coffee and tea, as I found that they bring on chest pains, dizziness and vomiting.
admin
Hi Tamil. You’re welcome. Hope you are doing well.
Frencie Flake
I have MVP too and I am on a low-sodium diet. Too much sweets and too much salt is bad too.
Tamie
I’ve been avoiding sweets and alcohol and it hasn’t made much difference. I have symptoms just about every night. I get up in the mornings feeling very confused and tired. I’ve had MVP for over five years. The cause was over dosed medication and multiple injections from my family doctor!
admin
Hi Tamie. Sorry to hear that. Are you on any medications now? Beta blockers, along with many other drugs, can make you feel tired and confused. Which drugs/injections caused your condition?
Timothy Shane Gould
I’m a family medicine resident with MVP and regurgitation secondary to SBE… from a tooth abscess before going to Afghanistan… so, now I’ve quit white anything, alcohol and sodas… but you have to have something to enjoy… to live for… screw that… I’m not giving up chocolate. Lol
Coco
I have MVP but certainly will not give up coffee or tea. I have been drinking them at least one glass a day. And I’m fine.
Sharon
I found that I have to avoid Greek yogurt because has such a high lactic acid content it will give me palpitations. So will kombucha and other fermented foods like naturally produced sauerkraut and pickles.