Greetings, I was diagnosed with a Mitral Valve Prolapse (MVP) in 1984 and subsequently released from the Navy because of it. I have the normal symptoms of extreme hypertension, heart palpitations, stabbing chest pain etc.

   I now suffer from sleep apnea and am scheduled to receive a CPAP machine from the V.A. shortly. My question here is in regards to a link between the two. Due to the sleep apnea "not" being in my service record, the only way to get the V.A. to recognize the S.A. is to link it to the MVP.

   So... here's the question. Can a MVP cause or be linked in any way to S.A.? When I stop breathing at night and am startled awake, this does send my heart into palpitations and causes extreme sress on my system. Is there a link?   Thank you in advance.