Mitral valve prolapse (MVP) is caused by a physical change in the valve. Physical changes such as thickening or abnormal shapes cause most of the cases of MVP. What causes these physical changes is not known. MVP may be passed down through family members.

Some people who have other inherited diseases (ones that run in families) may also have MVP. But this link is not common. Inherited diseases associated with MVP include:

• Marfan's syndrome.
• Ehlers-Danlos syndrome.

Conditions that affect the mitral valve, connective tissue, and heart muscle can cause mitral valve prolapse, but this is rare. Examples of these conditions include rheumatic fever, lupus, and coronary artery disease.

Other conditions, such as osteogenesis imperfecta and hyperthyroidism, are also associated with mitral valve prolapse.