Mitral Regurgitation
Mitral valve regurgitation — or mitral regurgitation — happens
when your heart's mitral valve doesn't close tightly, which allows
blood to flow backward in your heart. The mitral valve is located between
your heart's two left chambers, and allows blood to flow forward through
your heart during a normal heartbeat. Mitral valve regurgitation is also
called mitral insufficiency or mitral incompetence.
When the mitral valve doesn't function properly, blood can't move
through your heart or to the rest of your body as efficiently. Mitral
valve regurgitation can make you tired and short of breath.
Treatment of mitral valve regurgitation depends on how severe your condition
is, whether it's getting worse, and signs and symptoms. For mild cases,
treatment may not be necessary. You may need heart surgery to repair or
replace the valve for more severe cases. Left untreated, severe mitral
valve regurgitation can cause heart failure or serious heart rhythm problems
(arrhythmias).