In mitral valve disease, the mitral valve, which is located between your left heart chambers (left atrium and left ventricle), doesn't work properly.
Types of mitral valve disease include:
In this condition, the flaps (leaflets) of the mitral valve don't close tightly, causing blood to leak backward into the left atrium of your heart. If not treated, it can result in heart muscle damage.
This condition is commonly caused by mitral valve prolapse, in which the leaflets bulge back into the left atrium as your heart contracts.
In this condition, the flaps of the mitral valve become thick or stiff, and they may fuse together. This results in a narrowed valve opening and reduced blood flow from the left atrium to the left ventricle.
Treatment for mitral valve disease depends on the severity of your condition and whether your condition is becoming worse. Your doctor may eventually recommend that you have surgery to repair or replace your mitral valve.
Mitral valve disease care at Mayo Clinic
Source: http://www.mayoclinic.com
Some people with mitral valve disease might not experience symptoms for many years. Signs and symptoms of mitral valve disease may include:
If you have a heart murmur, your doctor may recommend that you visit a cardiologist. If you develop any symptoms that may suggest mitral valve disease, see your doctor.
Source: http://www.mayoclinic.com
Your heart has four valves that keep blood flowing in the correct direction. These valves include the mitral valve, tricuspid valve, pulmonary valve and aortic valve. Each valve has flaps (leaflets or cusps) that open and close once during each heartbeat. Sometimes, the valves don't open or close properly, disrupting the blood flow through your heart to your body.
In mitral valve disease, the mitral valve between the upper left heart chamber (left atrium) and the lower left heart chamber (left ventricle) doesn't work properly. It may not be closing properly, which causes blood to leak backward to the left atrium (regurgitation), or the valve may be narrowed (stenosis).
Mitral valve disease has many causes. Some forms of mitral valve disease can be present at birth (congenital heart defect).
Mitral valve regurgitation can be caused by problems with the mitral valve, also called primary mitral valve regurgitation. Mitral valve regurgitation is often caused by mitral valve prolapse, in which the mitral valve flaps (leaflets) bulge back into the left atrium. Diseases of the left ventricle can lead to secondary mitral valve regurgitation.
Mitral valve stenosis is often caused by rheumatic fever, which is a complication of a strep infection that can affect the heart.
Source: http://www.mayoclinic.com
Your doctor may evaluate your signs and symptoms and conduct a physical examination. In a physical examination, your doctor will likely listen for a heart murmur, as this can be a sign of a mitral valve condition. Your doctor may order several tests to diagnose your condition.
Tests may include:
Echocardiography. In this test, sound waves directed at your heart from a wandlike device (transducer) held on your chest produce video images of your heart in motion. This test assesses the structure of your heart, your heart valves and the blood flow through your heart. It can also help doctors see the pressure in blood vessels in your lungs. An echocardiogram helps your doctor get a close look at the mitral valve and how well it's working. Doctors may also use a 3-D echocardiogram.
Doctors may conduct another type of echocardiogram called a transesophageal echocardiogram. In this test, a small transducer attached to the end of a tube is inserted down the tube leading from your mouth to your stomach (esophagus). This test allows doctors to have a closer look at the mitral valve than is possible with a regular echocardiogram.
Cardiac catheterization. This test isn't often used to diagnose mitral valve disease, but it may be used if other tests haven't diagnosed the condition or to check to see if coronary artery disease is present. Doctors may use this test to plan the appropriate treatment for your condition.
In this procedure, a doctor threads a thin tube (catheter) through a blood vessel in your arm or groin to an artery in your heart and injects dye through the catheter to make the artery visible on an X-ray. This provides your doctor with a detailed picture of your heart arteries and how your heart functions. It can also measure the pressure inside the heart chambers.
Source: http://www.mayoclinic.com
Mitral valve disease can cause many complications, including:
Source: http://www.mayoclinic.com
You'll have regular follow-up appointments with your doctor to monitor your condition.
Your doctor may suggest you incorporate several heart-healthy lifestyle changes into your life, including:
For women with mitral valve disease, it's important to talk with your doctor before you become pregnant. Your doctor can discuss with you which medications you can safely take, and whether you may need a procedure to treat your valve condition prior to pregnancy. You'll likely require close monitoring by your doctor during pregnancy.
Source: http://www.mayoclinic.com
If you have mitral valve disease, here are some steps that may help you cope:
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Several factors can increase your risk of mitral valve disease, including:
Source: http://www.mayoclinic.com
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