Mitral insufficiency means your mitral valve has problems closing. This lets blood leak back through the valve.
The heart has 4 valves. These valves help blood flow through the heart and out to the body by promoting forward flow and preventing back flow. The mitral valve lies between the 2 chambers of the heart on the left side. These 2 chambers are the left atrium and left ventricle. When the valve is open, it allows blood to flow from your lungs and left atrium to your left ventricle. When the left ventricle contracts to pump blood into your body, the mitral valve closes to prevent blood from leaking backward.
With mitral insufficiency, a small amount of leaking blood rarely leads to problems. But if the leaking is severe, it can cause damage to and enlargement of the heart. That's because the leaking of blood means the blood has to be pumped twice.
Possible causes of mitral insufficiency
Causes may include:
-
Heart damage from rheumatic fever or other infections or diseases
-
Aging
-
Mitral valve prolapse
-
Damage after a heart attack
Treating mitral insufficiency
Medicines may be prescribed. These help the heart work better. In severe cases, heart valve surgery may be needed to repair or replace the valve.
Related Articles
Ischemic Cardiomyopathy
Ischemic cardiomyopathy is a disease of the heart muscle.
Understanding Atherosclerosis
Atherosclerosis can start as early as childhood and can lead to many health conditions, including heart disease and stroke.
Heart Valve Problems: Mitral Valve Prolapse
Mitral valve prolapse is the most common heart valve problem. It's usually not serious. With this problem, the valve bulges slightly back into the atrium when it closes. This may allow a tiny amount of blood to leak.
Understanding Atrial Septal Defect (ASD) in Adults
An ASD is a common heart defect that's present at birth. If it's not found until you are an adult, your heart may not be able to pump as much blood.
