SSRI’s shown to cause thickening of collagen in the mitral valve, exacerbating underlying valve dysfunctions.

While mitral valve prolapse is rarely shown to require surgery when found in the hEDS population, research in the last few years has shown that it is a feature in up to 68% of patients with the hypermobile form of EDS. Furthermore, the literature reviews of those patients (below) recommend little to ZERO follow up for the matter, placing us in a direct pathway to be harmed by the frequent prescriptions of SSRI’s as a part of our care.

Although the presence of MVP is higher than what has been reported in the general population, no patients had severe MVP or required surgical intervention. No patients in this cohort had an aortic root diameter requiring surgical repair. Based on the results of this study and previous studies, routine echocardiograms to assess for valvular diseases and ARD may not be necessary unless warranted by presence of symptoms or family history.

Asher SB, Chen R, Kallish S. Mitral valve prolapse and aortic root dilation in adults with hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome and related disorders. Am J Med Genet A. 2018 Sep;176(9):1838-1844. doi: 10.1002/ajmg.a.40364. Epub 2018 Jul 31. PMID: 30063091.

Even more alarming is how frequently doctors prescribe SSRI’s as a REPLACEMENT for proper medical care, by psychologists and physicians who have not taken time to educate themselves on Ehlers-Danlos Syndromes.

Because SSRI’s are one of the most frequently prescribed antidepressants, I’m confident that this research will be continued over the next few years. Until screening and adequate follow up are present in your life and the life of a loved one with some form of hypermobile spectrum disorder, PLEASE be on the lookout for updates. if you suspect or have a loved one that you suspect may have hEDS, (including children and teens who are still unevaluated and may not be showing strong symptoms!), please read and consider avoiding SSRI’s until a full cardiac workup has ruled out Mitral Valve issues AT ANY STAGE!

Mitral valve prolapse and aortic root dilation in adults with hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome and related disorders

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30063091/

Although the presence of MVP is higher than what has been reported in the general population, no patients had severe MVP or required surgical intervention. No patients in this cohort had an aortic root diameter requiring surgical repair. Based on the results of this study and previous studies, routine echocardiograms to assess for valvular diseases and ARD may not be necessary unless warranted by presence of symptoms or family history.

Asher SB, Chen R, Kallish S. Mitral valve prolapse and aortic root dilation in adults with hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome and related disorders. Am J Med Genet A. 2018 Sep;176(9):1838-1844. doi: 10.1002/ajmg.a.40364. Epub 2018 Jul 31. PMID: 30063091.

https://scitechdaily.com/columbia-researchers-uncover…/

“Serotonin can impact the mitral valve of the heart and potentially accelerate a cardiac condition known as degenerative mitral regurgitation, according to a new study led by researchers at Columbia University’s Department of Surgery in collaboration with the Pediatric Heart Valve Center at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP), the University of Pennsylvania, and the Valley Hospital Heart Institute….”

https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/scitranslmed.adc9606

Manifestations of Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS) Hypermobility Type

https://www.mountsinai.on.ca/…/manifestations-of-eds.pdf

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3545852/