Customer Reviews

Mitral Valve Prolapse

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I was diagnosed with MVP and this is the first book I purchased to learn about this disease. It is such an informative book, it answered all my questions. I had no need to purchase more books. Very well written, and interesting reading. I have had the book for 5 yrs and still refer to it often. Paula

I recently book all the books on Amazon.com on MVP. The best one out of all of them is Taking Control--the latest edition. This book is OK but almost sounds like an angry person wrote it. I believe some of the advice is helpful.

Ever since I was diagnosed with mitral valve prolapse ten years ago by a doctor who couldn't get off of the phone fast enough after briefly stating the my echocardiogram showed that I had MVP and bombarding me with the "reassurance" that I have come to discover is the treatment of choice for this poorly understood, yet surprisingly common heart valve dysfunction, I have, as many others with this disease, found it excruciatingly difficult to get the kind of medical information that might help me to cope -- if only psychologically -- as my valve continues its process of steady deterioration -- and my quality of life declines with it. If you have a progressive form of this illness -- or wish to know more about what you can do to prevent the progression of mitral valve prolapse -- you'll find this book to be an eye-opener. In it, Sharon Anderson thoroughly traces the history of the discovery of the disorder and the frankly bizarre development of psychoneurotic hypotheses (which some doctors still mistakenly believe to be supported by research) of MVP's origins and symptoms. She points the reader in the direction of some of the most meaningful and informative medical research and theory development (such as that of Dr. John Barlow) on the disorder while weaving in her personal experience of both MVP itself and the medical negligence that led to unnecessary further deterioration of her mitral valve. Of all of the books, articles, and websites I have consulted on MVP, I found this to be the most information-rich. Although it's not a self-help manual, I've found that this monograph offers a lot of valuable insight that has helped to guide my own inquiry into the specfics of my own condition.

I decided to purchase this book for my Kobo because it was the only book available for that particular format on the market. The book was/is VERY well written, but it's a bit negative. I was diagnosed with MVP when I was 12 during a routine physical, dispite the diagnosis I have led a VERY full life. The author makes Mitral Valve Prolapse sound as though it's a death sentence, which it isn't by any means. The author spends a great deal of time talking about death rates and such, fact of life we all die. If you are looking for a way to learn to deal and live with MVP this book is not it. It is informative on some levels, but like I said, very negative. I do have palpitations and panic attacks but I've found ways to deal with them. My best advice: Diet, exercise, magnesium supplements, meditation, yoga, avoiding stimulants and a POSITIVE outlook. It's also good to find an outstanding cardiologist to work with you.