
Medication
This is turn balances out the cardiac system. Can mitral valve regurgitation heal on its own? No, It is a structural abnormality of the heart. The symptoms of this may be more or less severe, at times, but the defect doesn't heal on it's own. Below is an image, showing the structure a normal valve and the one with a prolapse or regurgitating valve.
Procedures
What is life expectancy after mitral valve repair? Median survival after MV ‐repair was 7.8 years, close to 8.5 years (95% CI : 8.2–9.4) in the age‐matched UK population (ratio 0.9). Rate of re‐operation for MV ‐dysfunction was 2.3% versus 2.5% (mitral valve replacement, P’=’1.0).
Nutrition
Possible risks of mitral valve repair and mitral valve replacement surgery include: Bleeding; Blood clots; Valve dysfunction in replacement valves; Heart rhythm problems; Infection; Stroke; Death; How you prepare. Your doctor may order several tests to get more information about your heart condition, including an echocardiogram.
Can mitral valve regurgitation heal on its own?
Mitral valve repair. Mitral valve repair is an operation to make the flaps of the mitral valve stay closer together. This will help stop blood flowing the wrong way through the valve. It's mainly used to treat mitral valve prolapse or regurgitation, if the problem is serious and causing symptoms.
What is life expectancy after mitral valve repair?
How dangerous is mitral valve replacement surgery?
What is mitral valve replacement used to treat?

What treatment is used for mitral regurgitation?
Mitral valve clip. In this procedure, a doctor specializing in heart diseases (cardiologist) guides a catheter with a clip on its end to the mitral valve through an artery in the groin. The clip is used to improve the closure of the mitral valve leaflets and to reduce the amount of regurgitation.
What is the best medication for mitral regurgitation?
What kinds of medications treat mitral valve regurgitation?Diuretics that help reduce the buildup of fluids in the body and swelling in the legs and feet.Blood thinners to prevent with clots.Beta blockers that help control your heart rate.Hypertension drugs to keep your blood pressure stable.
Does mild mitral regurgitation require surgery?
Some people with mitral regurgitation don't need treatment, especially when the regurgitation is mild. Severe mitral valve regurgitation often requires a catheter procedure or heart surgery to repair or replace the mitral valve.
Does moderate mitral regurgitation require surgery?
If you are diagnosed with moderate to severe (grade 3) or severe (grade 4) mitral regurgitation, your doctor may recommend a surgical treatment. One measure used to determine whether a surgical approach should be taken is called ejection fraction.
How long can you live with mild mitral valve regurgitation?
Widely disparate estimates of long term survival in patients with mitral regurgitation—between 97–27% at five years—have been reported. We analysed the natural history of mitral regurgitation caused by flail leaflets because these patients present with severe mitral regurgitation in more than 85% of cases.
Can a leaky heart valve be fixed without surgery?
While this condition can lead to serious health problems, it is treatable – even more so these days due to a minimally invasive procedure using the MitraClip. This FDA-approved device allows physicians to fix faulty heart valves without doing open heart surgery.
Can you live a long life with mitral valve regurgitation?
People with mild mitral valve regurgitation often live long, full lives and never require treatment. But once the condition becomes severe and begins to affect your heart's ability to pump blood, you may need surgery to prevent serious complications such as congestive heart failure or even death.
What should I avoid if I have mitral valve regurgitation?
Eating well: You need to eat lots of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and proteins. You'll need to limit salt, added sugars, saturated and trans fats, and alcohol.
Is exercise good for mitral valve regurgitation?
If you have mild to moderate mitral valve regurgitation (MR) and do not have symptoms, you likely do not have to limit your physical activity. If you do have symptoms or if you have irregular heart rhythms or changes in your heart size or function, you may need to be cautious about physical activity.
Can a mitral valve be replaced without open heart surgery?
A minimally invasive mitral valve replacement is a procedure to replace a poorly working mitral valve with an artificial valve without the need for open heart surgery.
How much mitral regurgitation is normal?
In the population as a whole around 2% of people have at least moderate mitral regurgitation. In those younger than 40 years of age, it is likely only around 0.5% and in those over 75 years of age it likely approaches 10%.
What happens if you don't have mitral valve surgery?
For patients like Kimble with mitral valve regurgitation, the flaps of the valve fail to close completely, causing blood to travel backward into the left atrium of the heart. Without treatment, the heart muscle can become weak or damaged.
What should I avoid if I have mitral valve regurgitation?
Eating well: You need to eat lots of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and proteins. You'll need to limit salt, added sugars, saturated and trans fats, and alcohol.
Can you treat a leaky heart valve with medication?
Although medications can serve a very important purpose, there is no medication that will stop a valve from leaking. Likewise, there's no medication that will open a valve that's too constricted.
How can I strengthen my heart valve naturally?
9 Natural Ways to Strengthen Your Heart ValvesLook at Your Plate. ... Pop Some Fish Oil. ... Keep Your Weight in Check. ... Decrease Salt Intake. ... Get Better Sleep. ... Move Around. ... Try Meditation. ... Up Your Dental Hygiene.More items...•
Can mitral valve regurgitation go away?
Mitral regurgitation may begin suddenly. This often occurs after a heart attack. When the regurgitation does not go away, it becomes long-term (chronic). Many other diseases or problems can weaken or damage the valve or the heart tissue around the valve.
What Is Mitral Valve Regurgitation?
The function of the four heart valves is to direct flow of blood through the heart. The mitral valve is a one-way valve that separates the left atr...
Mitral Valve Regurgitation Causes
Although there are many causes of mitral regurgitation, the two most common types are functional mitral regurgitation (where the left ventricle is...
Mitral Valve Regurgitation Symptoms
When mitral regurgitation is severe, the blood backs up into the lungs. This leads to congestive heart failure, which causes fatigue, fluid retenti...
Mitral Valve Regurgitation Diagnosis
The following tests may be ordered to diagnose mitral regurgitation or other heart valve conditions: 1. transthoracic echocardiogram (TTE) 2. trans...
Mitral Valve Regurgitation Treatment
Treatment options for mitral regurgitation may include medication, minimally invasive non-surgical procedures or surgery. Specific treatment will b...
What is the procedure to repair a mitral valve?
Open-heart surgery to repair or replace the diseased valve may be required for severe mitral valve regurgitation that develops or worsens abruptly. The replacement is a mechanical valve or one made of pig, cow or human heart tissue.
What to do if your heart regurgitates?
Your doctor will monitor your condition and may prescribe medication to relieve symptoms. If the regurgitation is more of a problem, you may need to have the valve repaired or replaced. Depending on your heart's condition and your overall health, the doctor will recommend one of the following procedures: Open-heart surgery to repair ...
Can mitral valve surgery be done with a bypass machine?
During surgery, the patient's heart is temporarily stopped to allow work on the valve, so a heart-lung bypass machine is used to circulate blood through the body. Minimally invasive mitral valve surgery can be an option for patients who have regurgitation but no other serious heart problems.
Can you make an incision in the chest for mitral valve replacement?
The procedure doesn't require making incisions in the chest or temporarily stopping the heart. Transcatheter mitral valve replacement may be recommended for certain patients who are not candidates for either open-heart or minimally invasive valve repair.
Treatment Options for Mitral Regurgitation
Depending on the severity of your heart valve disease, your cardiologist may recommend:
Medications for Mitral Regurgitation
No medications have been proven to help the flaps of the mitral valve close properly. However, your doctor may recommend medications to help reduce the symptoms of mitral regurgitation.
Surgical Treatments for Mitral Regurgitation
If you are diagnosed with moderate to severe (grade 3) or severe (grade 4) mitral regurgitation, your doctor may recommend a surgical treatment.
Non-Surgical, Less Invasive Treatments for Mitral Regurgitation
Great progress is being made with treatments that do not require open-heart surgery. These approaches use a small flexible tube (catheter) that is threaded through the arteries from the upper thigh to the heart.
Learn More
If you have heart valve disease, it is important to understand your condition so that you can work closely with your healthcare team to develop a long-term plan for your care. We invite you to check out the SecondsCount Valvular Heart Disease Center here.
What happens when mitral regurgitation is severe?
When mitral regurgitation is severe, the blood backs up into the lungs. This leads to congestive heart failure, which causes fatigue, fluid retention and shortness of breath. Additionally, the leakiness of the valve burdens the heart and causes it to work harder. Eventually the heart becomes weakened and enlarged.
How many people have mitral valve regurgitation?
An estimated 4 million people in the U.S. have significant mitral valve regurgitation. About one in 10 people age 75 and older have mitral valve regurgitation.
What is TMVR in Michigan?
Beaumont was one of the few hospitals in Michigan who participated in the MitraClip research study and was the first hospital in Michigan to implant the FDA approved device in 2013. Transcatheter Mitral Valve Replacement (TMVR) is another options for patients with mitral valve disease (mitral valve stenosis or mitral valve regurgitation).
What happens when the left ventricle squeezes?
When the left ventricle squeezes, the mitral valve closes to prevent blood from traveling backwards and re-entering the left atrium and subsequently the lungs. When the two flaps or leaflets of the mitral valve do not close properly, mitral valve regurgitation occurs.
What is the most common form of heart valve disease?
Mitral Valve Regurgitation (Mitral Valve Insufficiency) Mitral valve regurgitation, also known as mitral valve insufficiency or mitral valve incompetence, is the most common form of heart valve disease. An estimated 4 million people in the U.S. have significant mitral valve regurgitation.
How to tell if you have mitral regurgitation?
Following are common symptoms of mitral regurgitation. Symptoms will vary depending on the severity of the condition and how long it has been developing: fatigue. shortness of breath. swollen feet or ankles. rapid, fluttering of heartbeat (heart palpitations) cough, especially when lying down. heart murmur.
Which valve separates the left atrium?
The mitral valve is a one-way valve that separates the left atrium, the heart chamber that receives blood from the lungs, from the left ventricle, the heart chamber that pumps oxygen-rich blood to the body.
What causes mitral valve regurgitation?
Mitral valve regurgitation can be caused by various problems, such as: 1 Mitral valve prolapse – a common heart issue where the mitral leaflets bulge back into the left atrium during contractions, preventing the valve from closing tightly. 2 Damaged tissue cords – tissue cords that anchor the leaflets to the heart muscle may stretch or tear, causing a mitral valve leak. 3 Rheumatic fever – this complication of untreated infection in early life could damage the mitral valve, leading to regurgitation later in life. 4 Heart attack – this can damage the area of the muscle that supports the valve, affecting its function. 5 Congenital heart defects – it is possible to be born with damaged heart valves. 6 Endocarditis – the valve may be damaged by an infection of the lining of the heart. 7 Atrial fibrillation – atrial fibrillation is a common heart rhythm problem that can be a potential cause of mitral or tricuspid valve regurgitation.
What are the symptoms of mitral regurgitation?
If you experience shortness of breath, ankle swelling, and palpitations, there are typical mitral regurgitation symptoms, and you should get a diagnosis as soon as possible.
What is the name of the process where blood travels back to the left atrium?
Mitral valve regurgitation is the medical name for when the mitral valve leaks. When the mitral valve leaks, blood travels back towards the left atrium and lungs as the left ventricle contracts. This means that less blood is pumped around the body with each contraction of the heart.
Why does my mitral valve leak?
The mitral valve leaks either as a result of prolapse or rupture of one of the two leaflets, or as a result of dilatation of the ring or “annulus” upon which it hangs. Usually, it is a combination of both pathologies and corrective surgery requires repair of the leaflets, as well as remodelling of the annulus.
What happens if a valve is not repaired?
If the valve is not repairable, then replacement should be considered when symptoms (breathlessness) develop, or if there is evidence of heart enlargement, atrial fibrillation, or pulmonary hypertension.
Can mitral regurgitation cause palpitations?
There are a few mitral regurgitation symptoms, but they can be potential symptoms for many diseases – or, sometimes, they can be nothing at all. Therefore, it is so important to get your symptoms checked by a doctor as soon as possible. If you experience shortness of breath, ankle swelling, and palpitations, there are typical mitral regurgitation ...
Treatment Details
Tampa General Hospital’s Heart & Vascular Institute offers advanced treatments for mitral valve regurgitation, including minimally invasive and robot-assisted options that allow for a quicker recovery period.
What to Expect
The benefits of mitral valve regurgitation treatment include preserving heart function, improving your symptoms and having a better quality of life. Patients who are eligible for a mitral valve repair over a replacement will also benefit from not needing to be on blood thinners and having a lower risk of stroke or infection.
Effectiveness
Mitral valve repair is a highly effective treatment for mitral valve regurgitation, with a majority of patients not needing a second operation to repair the valve.
What is it called when the mitral valve in the heart narrows?
How We Can Help You. Mitral valve stenosis occurs when the mitral valve in your heart narrows, restricting blood flow into the main pumping chamber. Your mitral valve may also leak, causing blood to flow back through the valve each time the left ventricle contracts. This condition is called mitral valve regurgitation.
What is the procedure to tighten a loose valve?
Annuloplasty: During this minimally invasive surgery for regurgitation, your doctor places a ring to tighten the loose valve. A Variety of Repair Techniques: Doctors use open-heart surgery to cut away loose leaflet, repair torn cords in addition to annuloplasty.
Can you repair a stenosis without surgery?
These interventional procedures may help if you cannot undergo surgery for regurgitation or if the stenosis is due to rheumatic fever. Procedures include:
Is valve surgery safe?
Valve surgery still offers the safest, most effective, and longest lasting fix for many people. Because of the benefits, we prefer to surgically repair your valve and can often do so with a minimally invasive approach.

Diagnosis
Clinical Trials
Lifestyle and Home Remedies
Coping and Support
Specialist to consult
Preparing For Your Appointment
- Your doctor will ask about your medical history and your family history of heart disease. Your doctor will also perform a physical exam that includes listening to your heart with a stethoscope. Mitral valve regurgitation usually produces a sound of blood leaking backward through the mitra…