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Today, 22 November 2009

› SACP attacks Malema

› Meteor 'flash' in Gauteng

› Govt settles with Pikoli

› Malema attack 'racist'

› Will cops play brokers?

Yesterday, 21 November 2009

› SACP attacks Malema

› Match-fixing stuns Europe

› JZ hails Miss World effect

› Henry offers replay

› No armchair ride for Boks

Question

What is Barlow's syndrome?

Answer

Barlow's syndrome is also known as floppy valve syndrome. It is essentially prolapse of the mitral valves of the heart. There is excess tissue in the mitral valve itself preventing proper closure during the heart cycle. In most cases it is completely benign, causing no problems at all. There is a higher incidence of the abnormality in people with Marfan's syndrome. Barlow's syndrome is more common in women and there is a familial tendency.

Most people have no symptoms from this, but a very few may have abnormalities in their heart rhythm, and some may suffer small, temporary strokes called transient ischaemic attacks from emboli arising from the rough surface of the valve. (See stroke).

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