What is Mitral Valve Regurgitation
Mitral valve regurgitation is a long term condition where a hearts mitral valve does not fully close properly allowing blood to leak backward into the upper heart chamber when the lower chamber contracts. As time passes, and if not properly treated, this mitral valve regurgitation condition will get progressively worse.
What Causes Mitral Valve Regurgitation
Mitral valve regurgitation is one of the more common types of heart valve deficiencies. Almost 1/5 of men and women aged 55 and older who undergo an echocardiogram have some varying degree of mitral valve regurgitation.
When the mitral valve of the heart becomes damaged or weakened the ventricle may widen and as a result lead to mitral valve regurgitation. As blood backs up into the atrium of the heart from the ventricle, the heart has to work harder in order to pump blood to the rest of body. If untreated, over a long period of time, congestive heart failure can occur.
Other causes that can contribute to the symptoms of mitral valve regurgitation are:
- Rheumatic heart disease - caused by a untreated or complications with strep throat
- High blood pressure
- Tumors in the heart
- Swelling of the heart chamber
- Atherosclerosis - Fat material sticks to artery walls and eventually hardens, blocking these arteries.
- Endocarditis - Inflammation of the lining in either the heart chambers or valves or combination of the two.
- Congenital mitral valve regurgitation
Symptoms of Mitral Valve Regurgitation
Symptoms of mitral valve regurgitation often go unnoticed as they occur gradually over a long period of time. Reported mitral valve regurgitation symptoms include:
- Shortness of breath when both active or inactive
- Cough
- Fatigue
- Lightheadedness
- Heart Palpitations
- Excessive urination
Treatments for Mitral Valve Regurgitation
There are a number of different treatments that can be offered for patients with mitral valve regurgitation. These treatments all depend on the types of symptoms patients are experiencing and the condition and function of the heart itself. Antibiotics are usually prescribed if there is a bacterial infection. Patients that have arterial fibrillation can take anti-coagulants or anti-platelet medications to prevent blood clots near the heart. Anti-hypersensitive drugs, vasodilators and digitalis may be used to reduce the strain on the heart and strengthen the heartbeat. If symptoms become more severe higher measures of treatment are needed. Patients may need to be admitted into hospitals for diagnosis and treatment. If heart function is poor doctors may need to surgically repair or fully replace the defective valve.
Mitral valve regurgitation tends to be benign so no treatment or therapy is necessary and mild symptoms can be controlled with proper medications. In the most extreme cases patients may need to have either mitral valve repair or a valve replacement.
Note: This information is not a substitute for talking with your doctor.
