Is severe mitral valve regurgitation serious?

Written by Li Hai Wen
Cardiology
Updated on September 17, 2024
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Mitral valve regurgitation can be mild, moderate, or severe, with severe mitral valve regurgitation being the most serious. Over time, severe mitral valve regurgitation can cause enlargement of the heart and a decreased heart pumping function, eventually leading to symptoms of heart failure. Patients may experience difficulty breathing, shortness of breath, fatigue, and other symptoms. Additionally, there may be swelling in both lower limbs. When such symptoms occur, it is necessary to take diuretic medications under the guidance of a doctor to reduce heart strain, such as furosemide or spironolactone. If necessary, digoxin may be taken to strengthen the heart and improve symptoms of heart failure. After stabilization, a mitral valve replacement or repair surgery may be scheduled.

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Written by Chen Tian Hua
Cardiology
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Can mitral and tricuspid regurgitation heal by themselves?

Mitral and tricuspid valve regurgitation generally cannot heal on their own. Of course, different cases of mitral and tricuspid regurgitation require different clinical treatments. Generally speaking, if it is only mild mitral and tricuspid regurgitation, no special treatment is needed. If it is caused by organic lesions in the mitral and tricuspid valves themselves, causing severe regurgitation, then surgical treatment is necessary to correct the organic abnormalities of the valves. If the regurgitation of the tricuspid and mitral valves is caused by diseases that lead to an enlarged heart and dilation of the valve annulus, it is necessary to actively treat these diseases to effectively control the condition and prevent it from worsening.

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Written by Li Hai Wen
Cardiology
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The causes of embolism in mitral stenosis

Mitral stenosis in patients can lead to embolism due to the tendency of mitral stenosis to cause enlargement of the left atrium. The enlargement of the left atrium is a key anatomical factor leading to atrial fibrillation and cardiac arrhythmias. When atrial fibrillation occurs, it is easy for blood clots to form in the left atrium, especially in the area of the left atrial appendage. When a blood clot breaks off, it can travel with the bloodstream and cause occlusion of the corresponding blood vessels, resulting in embolic complications. Timely surgical intervention to treat mitral stenosis can effectively prevent complications such as atrial enlargement and blood clots caused by mitral stenosis.

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Written by Chen Tian Hua
Cardiology
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What to do with mild mitral and tricuspid regurgitation?

The appearance of mild regurgitation in the mitral and tricuspid valves requires further clarification of the specific causes leading to the regurgitation, and treatment should be based on these causes. In healthy individuals, mild regurgitation of the mitral and tricuspid valves may be considered physiological degeneration, which is not considered a disease and does not require special treatment. However, mild regurgitation of these valves can also occur due to related organic diseases causing ventricular enlargement and annular dilation, leading to relative mild regurgitation of the mitral and tricuspid valves. In such cases, effective treatment of the underlying disease is necessary to keep it stable in the long term, preventing further enlargement of the ventricle that could worsen valve regurgitation and adversely affect the patient.

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Written by Chen Tian Hua
Cardiology
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Mild regurgitation of the mitral and tricuspid valves, what's the cause?

Mild regurgitation of the mitral and tricuspid valves, if seen in healthy individuals without related organic diseases, mainly occurs due to the physiological aging of the mitral and tricuspid valves as age increases. This results in slight insufficiency during ventricular contraction, leading to mild regurgitation. This condition is not pathological and does not require treatment, nor does it lead to adverse consequences. However, if the mild regurgitation of the mitral and tricuspid valves is accompanied by an organic disease that causes ventricular enlargement, the cardiac enlargement and annular dilation result in relative regurgitation due to the organic disease. It is necessary to actively control the underlying disease to prevent further enlargement of the heart, which could worsen the insufficiency and cause more blood regurgitation.

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Written by Li Hai Wen
Cardiology
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Is severe mitral valve regurgitation serious?

Mitral valve regurgitation can be mild, moderate, or severe, with severe mitral valve regurgitation being the most serious. Over time, severe mitral valve regurgitation can cause enlargement of the heart and a decreased heart pumping function, eventually leading to symptoms of heart failure. Patients may experience difficulty breathing, shortness of breath, fatigue, and other symptoms. Additionally, there may be swelling in both lower limbs. When such symptoms occur, it is necessary to take diuretic medications under the guidance of a doctor to reduce heart strain, such as furosemide or spironolactone. If necessary, digoxin may be taken to strengthen the heart and improve symptoms of heart failure. After stabilization, a mitral valve replacement or repair surgery may be scheduled.