Can mitral valve insufficiency be detected on a chest radiograph?

Written by Xie Zhi Hong
Cardiology
Updated on December 20, 2024
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Mitral valve insufficiency is characterized by an enlarged heart, and a blowing murmur can be heard during mitral valve systole through auscultation. Therefore, in chest X-ray examinations, an enlargement of the left lower cardiac border can be observed. Some severe cases may exhibit pulmonary artery hypertension, indicated by a prominent pulmonary artery segment; additionally, patients with heart failure may show increased pulmonary blood flow, all of which aid in the diagnosis of mitral valve insufficiency. However, this is not the definitive diagnosis, which should be determined through echocardiography. Especially through Doppler imaging, the enlargement of heart structures, the mosaic blood flow caused by mitral valve insufficiency, and changes in blood flow speed and direction can be clearly diagnosed. Therefore, the primary diagnostic tool for mitral valve insufficiency is not the chest X-ray, which only shows indirect signs, but echocardiography.

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Written by Di Zhi Yong
Cardiology
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How to treat calcification of mitral valve regurgitation?

Mitral valve regurgitation with calcification indicates the onset of calcification in this condition, though this alone does not necessarily indicate a problem. However, mitral valve regurgitation should still be actively treated. Early or mild cases can lead to pathological changes in the heart, particularly when there is excess pressure on the mitral valve, left ventricle, or left atrium. This may cause symptoms like palpitations, chest tightness, and difficulty breathing. Sometimes, medications to dilate blood vessels, strengthen the heart, and promote urination may be necessary to reduce cardiac load and improve symptoms.

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Written by Xie Zhi Hong
Cardiology
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Does mitral valve insufficiency affect heart rate?

In order to maintain the vital signs of the human body, the heart must have a fixed cardiac output to ensure the blood supply and nourishment of the body, therefore the cardiac output is definite as per the body's needs. When there is severe mitral valve regurgitation, it causes a decrease in the stroke volume. As a compensation, while the stroke volume decreases, in order to ensure the body's blood supply and nourishment, the heart accelerates its beating to maintain the supply of output. Therefore, patients with mitral valve regurgitation often experience symptoms of tightness in the chest, difficulty breathing, and palpitations after exercising. This means that our heart rate after exercise will be faster than in people without mitral valve regurgitation, thus mitral valve regurgitation affects the heart rate.

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Written by Di Zhi Yong
Cardiology
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Will mild mitral valve insufficiency become more severe?

If the patient has a history of mitral valve insufficiency, and if it is not treated timely, the condition will worsen. If the patient develops heart failure, sometimes it is necessary to actively correct the heart failure, because the most serious complication of this disease is heart failure, which is quite severe. Once the patient's heart function changes, especially if the ejection fraction decreases, it can lead to ischemic and hypoxic changes in the patient. In terms of treatment, it is also important to monitor the patient's blood pressure, heart rate, and pulse changes, while actively controlling the heart rate.

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Written by Di Zhi Yong
Cardiology
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Why does mitral valve insufficiency cause regurgitation?

Mitral valve regurgitation can cause backflow, as it is a type of rheumatic heart disease. Currently, treatment primarily focuses on symptomatic relief and improving the patient’s cardiopulmonary function. During this period, it is still important to actively monitor the patient’s heart rate, blood pressure, and pulse changes. If there is a rapid heart rate or increased blood pressure, these conditions need active intervention to alleviate the patient’s state of ischemia and hypoxia. If there is significant regurgitation, it may lead to a state of hypoxia. During this period, it is still important to actively monitor the patient’s heart rate, blood pressure, and pulse. Regular follow-up with cardiac echocardiography is adequate, and it is also necessary to actively prevent upper respiratory infections.

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Written by Di Zhi Yong
Cardiology
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Can you drink alcohol with mitral valve insufficiency?

If the patient has a history of mitral stenosis or mitral regurgitation, they should avoid alcohol as it can lead to a series of side effects, especially symptoms such as chest tightness, palpitations, and difficulty breathing. If drinking alcohol results in elevated blood pressure, it requires proactive management, especially for those with heart valve diseases. It is advised that patients focus on a diet rich in high-quality protein and low in salt, fat, and sodium. Regular echocardiographic check-ups are also essential. If the patient has no special complications, active treatment is needed, which usually involves using medications to improve cardiac function.