What is Mitral Valve Regurgitation?
Mitral valve regurgitation is a heart condition where the mitral valve doesn’t close properly, causing blood to leak backward into the left atrium during heart contraction. This can happen if you have been diagnosed with mitral valve prolapse (link to page)
What Are the Causes of Mitral Regurgitation (MR)?
Mitral valve prolapse, rheumatic fever, infective endocarditis, aging-related changes in the valve, or structural heart defects are just a few of the conditions that can cause mitral regurgitation (MR).
What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Mitral Regurgitation?
Symptoms of mitral regurgitation may include:
- Fatigue
- Shortness of breath, especially during physical activity or when lying flat
- Palpitations (feeling of rapid or irregular heartbeat)
- Swollen ankles or feet
- Heart murmur detected during a physical examination.
What Are the Risk Factors of Mitral Valve Regurgitation?
Some things that can make you more likely to get mitral valve regurgitation are changes in the structure of the valve that happen with age, heart conditions like mitral valve prolapse or rheumatic fever, infective endocarditis, birth defects in the heart, and having had a heart attack or coronary artery disease in the past. Additionally, hypertension, connective tissue disorders like Marfan syndrome, and certain medications that can damage the heart valves also contribute to the risk.
How Is Mitral Regurgitation Diagnosed?
Mitral regurgitation is diagnosed through a combination of medical history, physical examination, and diagnostic tests. These tests may include echocardiography (ultrasound of the heart), electrocardiogram (ECG), chest X-ray, cardiac MRI or CT scans, and occasionally cardiac catheterization.
What Are Possible Treatments for Mitral Regurgitation?
Possible treatments for mitral regurgitation include medication to manage symptoms and prevent complications, lifestyle modifications such as dietary changes and exercise, and in more severe cases, surgical repair or replacement of the mitral valve. The path of treatment depends on the severity of the condition and individual health factors.
Are There Preventative Steps or Measures to Avoid Mitral Regurgitation (MR)?
Mitral regurgitation often develops due to underlying heart conditions or age-related changes, so there are no specific preventative measures to entirely avoid it. However, maintaining a healthy lifestyle, managing conditions like high blood pressure or heart disease, avoiding smoking, and seeking prompt medical treatment for any heart-related symptoms can help reduce the risk or delay the progression of mitral regurgitation. Regular check-ups with your cardiologist can also aid in the early detection and management of any developing heart issues.
What Are the Risks If Mitral Regurgitation Is Left Untreated?
If mitral regurgitation is left untreated, it can lead to several complications, including:
- Heart failure: The increased workload on the heart due to the regurgitation can eventually weaken the heart muscle, leading to heart failure.
- Arrhythmias: Mitral regurgitation can disrupt the heart’s electrical signals, leading to irregular heartbeats, or arrhythmias.
- Pulmonary hypertension: The increased pressure in the heart’s left atrium and pulmonary veins can lead to high blood pressure in the lungs (pulmonary hypertension), which can strain the right side of the heart.
- Stroke: Blood clots can form in the heart due to the turbulence caused by the regurgitation, increasing the risk of stroke if these clots travel to the brain.
- Endocarditis: The abnormal blood flow through the leaking valve increases the risk of developing infective endocarditis, an infection of the heart’s inner lining.
Early diagnosis and appropriate management of mitral regurgitation can help prevent these complications and improve outcomes.
