With mitral valve regurgitation, the valve connecting the left chambers of the heart does not close properly. As a result, blood flows in a backwards motion and deprives other areas of the body of the blood necessary for proper function.
Valves within the heart feature leaflets, which are small flaps that open and close to enable efficient blood flow. If a leaflet does not fully close, blood leakage can occur. This condition may result from damage caused by rheumatic fever, or it can emerge as a complication of cardiomyopathy. Other causes may include:
Symptoms of mitral valve regurgitation may take years to present and be relatively mild, with little impact on a person’s health. In other cases, the condition can happen suddenly. While fatigue is the most common symptom, mitral valve regurgitation can also cause shortness of breath, arrhythmia, heart palpitations, and inflammation of the feet and ankles.
As symptoms become progressively worse, mitral valve regurgitation can cause more serious health problems. It can increase blood pressure in the lungs, which is known as pulmonary hypertension. The condition may also lead to atrial fibrillation, which causes a rapid heartbeat. In serious cases, mitral valve regurgitation can result in congestive heart failure.
Doctors usually treat mitral valve regurgitation with a combination of medication and surgery. Medications can address the complications of the disease and improve heart function. This can include blood pressure drugs and anticoagulants. If swelling is an issue, the doctor may also prescribe diuretics.
As for surgery, these procedures are intended to repair the function of the mitral valve. In some cases, surgeons may opt to replace the valve completely.
The outcome of mitral valve regurgitation depends on the severity of the condition and a person’s general state of health. When symptoms are mild, it’s possible to control the condition and prevent worsening health effects.