The mitral valve is one of the four heart valves. It is located between the two chambers on the left side of the heart (left atrium and left ventricle), and its job is to pump blood from the heart to the rest of the body. When the mitral valve is diseased or damaged, blood flow is disrupted, and the heart must work harder to supply blood to the body.
Mitral valve disease can be mild, moderate or severe; some patients experience significant symptoms and others do not exhibit any signs of the condition. If the disease causes stress and strain to the heart, or if symptoms are affecting quality of life, treatment may be necessary. Treatment options can include medication to control symptoms or procedures to repair or replace the faulty valve.
Diagnosing and treating mitral valve disease is important, because, if left untreated, it can progress and cause damage to the heart or cause other complications. Untreated valve disease may lead to:
There are three types of mitral valve disease: mitral valve stenosis, mitral valve regurgitation and mitral valve prolapse.
Stenosis is a narrowing or thickening of the mitral valve. This can be caused by a build-up of plaque, as part of coronary artery disease. When stenosis occurs, the narrowing prevents normal blood flow from traveling through the heart and out to the rest of the body.
The mitral valve has "flaps" that open and close with each heartbeat, helping the blood to move through the heart. Regurgitation occurs when the flaps do not close properly and blood leaks backwards instead of moving in the correct direction.
Prolapse occurs when the flaps of the mitral valve stretch or loosen and enter the heart chamber, which can result in blood leakage. This condition can worsen and lead to mitral valve regurgitation.
Mitral valve disease can be congenital (present at birth) or acquired (developed later in life). Experts do not fully understand the cause of congenital mitral valve disease. When the condition appears later in life, it may be caused by a number of different things:
Some patients do not experience any symptoms of mitral valve disease. When symptoms are present, they may include:
Mitral valve disease cannot always be prevented. However, taking steps toward general heart-healthy living can reduce the risk of developing the condition.
Risk factors for mitral valve disease include:
Diagnosing mitral valve disease starts with a routine checkup with a health care provider. Abnormal sounds associated with heart valve disease can be heard through a stethoscope. If a health care provider hears an abnormality, they may recommend additional testing that can include:
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