Condition Basics
What is mitral valve regurgitation?
Mitral valve regurgitation means that one of the valves in your heart—the mitral valve—is letting blood leak backward into the upper area of your heart.
Heart valves work like one-way gates. They help blood flow in one direction between heart chambers or in and out of the heart. The mitral valve is on the left side of your heart. It lets blood flow from the upper to the lower heart chamber.
When the mitral valve is damaged, it may no longer close tightly. This lets blood leak backward, or regurgitate, into the upper chamber. Your heart has to work harder to pump this extra blood.
Small leaks usually aren't a problem. But more severe cases weaken the heart over time and can lead to heart failure.
What causes it?
The cause of mitral valve regurgitation depends on the type. It may happen because of problems like calcium buildup on the mitral valve. Heart failure, a heart attack, or a heart infection may also cause this to happen. This condition can also happen in people who have mitral valve prolapse.
What are the symptoms?
Symptoms of chronic mitral valve regurgitation may take decades to appear. They include being tired or short of breath when you're active. A heart murmur might be the first sign your doctor notices. Acute mitral valve regurgitation is an emergency. Symptoms include severe shortness of breath, fast heart rate, lightheadedness, weakness, confusion, and chest pain.
How is it diagnosed?
When your doctor suspects that you have mitral valve regurgitation, he or she will ask about your past health, do a physical exam, and order tests, such as an echocardiogram, to check your heart.
How is mitral valve regurgitation treated?
For chronic mitral valve regurgitation, you may take medicines to treat problems caused by the regurgitation or to treat a heart problem that is causing it. Or you may need surgery to repair or replace your mitral valve. If your condition is acute, you need surgery right away to repair or replace the valve.