text: what has he misunderstood? an individual visits a doctor and the doctor tells them their ecg reveals a defective mitral valve and a heart murmur.  what could the patient have misunderstood from the doctor when he explained the diagnosis process. your explanation is very vague.  a defective mitral valve?  there are several different conditions that could be possible. first of all, a heart murmur is rarely a serious condition.  most heart murmurs are present at birth, and never adversly effect the individual, throughout their lifetime. secondly, the most common condition occuring in conjunction with a murmur is called mitral valve prolapse.  also, usually not a big deal. if you are unclear on your diagnosis, or feel you aren't receiving adequate information from your physician, find a new one!  ask for copies of your echo and go to someone who can communicate with you to meet your needs.