Forty percent of normal people have a little mitral regurgitation. If your mitral valve is structurally normal appearing, what you describe is very unlikely to ever cause you a problem. It may be reasonable to get another echo (ultrasound) image of your heart in a year or so, to make sure the situation is stable.
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?
In developing countries, it progresses much more rapidly and may lead to symptoms in children less than 5 years of age. Around 80% of patients with mild symptoms live for at least 10 years after diagnosis.
How common is moderate mitral valve regurgitation?
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%.
Can mild mitral 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 the most common cause of mitral regurgitation?
It is caused by disruption in any part of the mitral valve (MV) apparatus. The most common etiologies of MR include MV prolapse (MVP), rheumatic heart disease, infective endocarditis, annular calcification, cardiomyopathy, and ischemic heart disease.
What does mild to moderate MR mean?
People with mild to moderate MR may never develop symptoms or serious complications. Even in people with severe MR, there may be no signs or symptoms until the left ventricle fails, an abnormal heart rhythm develops (atrial fibrillation), or pulmonary hypertension occurs.
Can you live a long life with mitral valve regurgitation?
Most people with mitral valve prolapse can lead active, long lives. It is important to receive ongoing medical care to monitor your condition, to follow a heart healthy diet and get regular exercise. If symptoms appear or worsen, they can usually be controlled with medicines.
Can stress cause mitral valve regurgitation?
Rarely, a person may need surgery or other aggressive therapies. Moreover, the symptoms may be very episodic, and come in waves and then disappear for some time. Symptoms of mitral valve prolapse may be aggravated by pregnancy, stress, pregnancy, fatigue, menstrual cycles (menstruation), or other illnesses.
Is mitral regurgitation serious?
When it’s mild, mitral valve regurgitation usually does not cause any problems. However, severe mitral valve regurgitation can lead to complications, including: Heart failure. Heart failure results when your heart can’t pump enough blood to meet your body’s needs.
Can anxiety cause mitral valve regurgitation?
People who have anxiety and panic attacks seem to be at a higher risk of having mitral valve prolapse.
Can mitral regurgitation go away?
Should I worry about mild mitral regurgitation?
If the mitral valve regurgitation is mild, you may need no treatment at all. Your doctor may want to check your heart regularly to make sure the problem does not worsen. Also, you may need to take antibiotics before any medical or dental procedure.
How dangerous is mitral valve regurgitation?
If this happens, it will typically cause pulmonary edema (the buildup of fluid in the lungs) and a dangerous drop in blood pressure. Acute mitral regurgitation is always considered a medical emergency and, if not treated immediately, can result in death.
Mitral valve regurgitation can be caused by problems with the mitral valve, also called primary mitral valve regurgitation. Diseases of the left ventricle can lead to secondary or functional mitral valve regurgitation. Possible causes of mitral valve regurgitation include: Mitral valve prolapse.
Can mitral valve regurgitation go away on its own?
Despite these accounts, it is not physically possible for MVP to go away. There’s no clinical evidence that it can. A prolapsing mitral valve cannot cure naturally, and a leaking bicuspid heart valve cannot heal itself if you have the affliction.
