Valvular heart disease develops when your valves fail to open and close correctly, thus interrupting blood circulation. Mitral valve regurgitation is one common type of valvular heart disease, which begins mildly and may develop into a serious health complication. Seeking valvular heart Disease Plano treatment may be beneficial in lowering your symptoms and improving your heart functioning. You will understand the potential causes, risk factors, and treatment options for this disease so you can continue to live a normal life.
What are the symptoms of Mitral Valve Regurgitation?
Heart valve disease occurs when the valve between your hearts’ left chambers does not close completely, thus allowing backward leaking of blood across the valve. Severe leakages may mean that there will not be enough blood to move to the rest of your body. Therefore you may always experience fatigue and shortness of breath. You may not show any symptoms for several years, but the symptoms are sudden for others. The symptoms may include irregular heartbeat, heart murmur, shortness of breath, heart palpitations, and swelling of the ankles and feet.
What Causes Mitral Valve Regurgitation?
The primary cause results from the failure of the valve to open and close properly, leading to reduced blood flow. Other possible causes may include mitral valve prolapse, where the flaps bulge back into the atrium during contraction, preventing the closing of the mitral valve. Secondly, rheumatic fever, which arises when strep throat infections are left untreated, may damage the mitral valve. Thirdly, heart attacks may cause damage to the muscles supporting the mitral valve. The damage may extend to the extent that it causes severe mitral valve regurgitation. Congenital heart defects, thickening heart muscles, and radiation therapy can cause mitral valve regurgitation.
What Treatments are Available for Mitral Valve Regurgitation?
Your doctor will begin by listening to your heart with a stethoscope to hear heart murmurs that may indicate leakages. You may also require diagnostic tests such as an echocardiogram, electrocardiogram, chest X-ray, and cardiac MRI to diagnose mitral valve regurgitation. The diagnosis can confirm the presence of mitral valve disease and help your doctor determine the stage of the disease. Your doctor will then offer treatment options to improve your heart functioning and reduce the condition’s symptoms to reduce further complications. Your treatment may include the following.
Medications
The medications for mitral valve regurgitation may include diuretics to reduce fluid buildup in your body. Your doctor may also recommend blood thinners if you have atrial fibrillation. You can also get blood pressure medications since hypertension worsens mitral valve regurgitation.
Surgery
You may eventually need surgery to repair the damaged mitral valve. Surgical procedures can include mitral valve repair and replacement. You can discuss the benefits and risks of both surgeries with your doctor before settling on one.
You can schedule an appointment at Heart and Vascular Care if you have symptoms that may indicate mitral valve regurgitation. The condition may not cause any problems, but as it worsens, it may strain your heart and blood, leading to fatigue. Your doctor will help you through your symptoms and develop a diagnosis and treatment plan. Request your appointment online today.
