Is mild to moderate mitral valve regurgitation serious?

Written by Di Zhi Yong
Cardiology
Updated on September 10, 2024
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If the patient has a history of mitral valve insufficiency, especially in moderate cases, it is considered quite severe. The current treatment mainly focuses on symptomatic treatment to improve the patient's cardiopulmonary function. If the patient experiences palpitations, chest tightness, or difficulty breathing, sometimes intravenous therapy is required to alleviate the current condition. Because for congenital heart disease or rheumatic heart disease, the treatment primarily involves strengthening the heart, diuresis, vasodilation, symptomatic treatment, and management. If not treated and managed promptly, the disease could worsen, and the patient may also develop swelling in both lower limbs.

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Written by Xie Zhi Hong
Cardiology
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Can mitral valve insufficiency be detected on a chest radiograph?

Mitral valve insufficiency is characterized by an enlarged heart, and a blowing murmur can be heard during mitral valve systole through auscultation. Therefore, in chest X-ray examinations, an enlargement of the left lower cardiac border can be observed. Some severe cases may exhibit pulmonary artery hypertension, indicated by a prominent pulmonary artery segment; additionally, patients with heart failure may show increased pulmonary blood flow, all of which aid in the diagnosis of mitral valve insufficiency. However, this is not the definitive diagnosis, which should be determined through echocardiography. Especially through Doppler imaging, the enlargement of heart structures, the mosaic blood flow caused by mitral valve insufficiency, and changes in blood flow speed and direction can be clearly diagnosed. Therefore, the primary diagnostic tool for mitral valve insufficiency is not the chest X-ray, which only shows indirect signs, but echocardiography.

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Written by Di Zhi Yong
Cardiology
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Can mitral valve insufficiency run?

Patients with mitral valve stenosis and insufficiency are advised not to run, as running is an aerobic exercise that increases heart rate. This can lead to symptoms like palpitations, chest tightness, and difficulty breathing, which are indicative of the heart needing more oxygen supply. Moreover, running increases the heart rate, which in turn increases the myocardial oxygen consumption and is detrimental to health. Particularly, running with mitral valve insufficiency is very dangerous. It is recommended to rest primarily and avoid participating in sports, especially running, for the health of the patient.

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Written by Li Hai Wen
Cardiology
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How does mitral valve insufficiency lead to heart failure?

Mitral valve regurgitation can easily lead to heart failure, especially left heart failure. This is because, when there is moderate or severe mitral regurgitation, the left ventricle contracts, and a large amount of blood in the left ventricle flows back into the left atrium. When the ventricle relaxes and fills again, the volume of blood in the left ventricle significantly increases, leading to an overload in the capacity of the left ventricle. Over time, this causes left ventricular hypertrophy, a decline in the heart's pumping function, and thus, heart failure occurs. In terms of symptoms, it presents as exertional dyspnea and paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea, among other symptoms. When these symptoms occur, it is necessary to go to the hospital for proper examination and treatment, and to take diuretic medications under the guidance of a doctor to improve the symptoms.

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Written by Di Zhi Yong
Cardiology
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Can mitral valve regurgitation be detected by imaging?

Mitral stenosis is a type of heart valve disease. It may be congenital heart disease or rheumatic heart disease, depending on individual differences. It is recommended that patients go to the hospital for a cardiac ultrasound to confirm the diagnosis, as X-rays cannot differentiate between mitral regurgitation and mitral stenosis. This condition requires a cardiac ultrasound for diagnosis. If patients experience symptoms like palpitations, chest tightness, or difficulty breathing during this period, these issues need to be actively managed. Generally, positive inotropic agents are used to alleviate the current condition of the patient and achieve relief, while also ensuring regular follow-up visits at the hospital.

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Written by Li Hai Wen
Cardiology
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Why does the pulse pressure increase with mitral valve insufficiency?

Mitral valve regurgitation leading to an increased pulse pressure difference is a very common phenomenon, which is related to the condition of mitral valve regurgitation itself. This is because when the left ventricle is in systole, the incomplete closure of the mitral valve causes the blood in the left ventricle to flow back into the left atrium, significantly increasing the volume of blood in the left atrium. When the ventricle is in the diastolic filling phase, a large amount of blood from the left atrium enters the left ventricle. At the same time, the left ventricle receives blood from the left atrium as well as the blood remaining from the systolic phase of the ventricle, resulting in a significant increase in the volume of blood the ventricle pumps. This leads to a notable rise in systolic pressure, thereby increasing the pulse pressure difference.