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Mitral valve

In the heart, a small flap stops blood from flowing the wrong way mitral valve. Problems with this valve can affect the blood flow in the body. 

Problems that affect the mitral valve are:

  • Mitral valve prolapse, the valve becomes too floppy
  • Mitral regurgitation, the valve leaks, and blood flows the wrong way
  • In Mitral stenosis, the valve does not open as wide

These conditions can be severe, but they’re constantly treatable. 

Mitral valve prolapse

The issue prevails when the valve is too floppy and does not close tightly. 

Signs

  • Breathlessness
  • Dizziness
  • Fatigue
  • Irregular Heartbeat
Treatments

  • Making lifestyle changes like quitting smoke and alcohol
  • Medicines for irregular heartbeats, like beta blockers
  • Surgery to replace the floppy valve

Causes

The cause of mitral valve prolapse is problems with tissues that join the mitral valve to the heart muscles. A heart attack can also damage the tissues. Some individuals are born with the condition. 

Mitral regurgitation

In this scenario, the blood flows the wrong path in the heart because the valve has not closed correctly.

Mitral valve | Signs Cause Treatments | Optimists Wellness India

Symptoms

  • Dizziness
  • Breathlessness
  • Fatigue
  • Chest pain

Treatments

If you experience symptoms or an issue with the valve, your doctor may recommend the following:

  • Medications to relieve your signs – such as diuretics to reduce breathlessness
  • Open heart surgery to repair or replace the mitral valve
  • Keyhole surgery

Mitral stenosis

When the mitral valve does not open up as wide, restricting the flow of blood through the heart is known as

mitral stenosis. 

Symptoms

There are no particular symptoms

Treatments and causes are similar to other Mitral

valve conditions. 

Mitral valve surgery

The most common mitral valve procedures are:

  • Mitral valve repair
  • Mitral valve replacement
  • Balloon valvuloplasty – where the mitral valve gets stretched with a tiny balloon

If you have further questions or need personalized guidance, don’t hesitate to take advantage of our online doctor consultation free, ensuring you receive the best care possible.

Reviewed by – Dr. Priyanka, MBBS MD Microbiology
Page last reviewed: 04 October 2022