Is severe mitral valve regurgitation serious?

Written by Li Hai Wen
Cardiology
Updated on September 17, 2024
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Mitral valve regurgitation can be mild, moderate, or severe, with severe mitral valve regurgitation being the most serious. Over time, severe mitral valve regurgitation can cause enlargement of the heart and a decreased heart pumping function, eventually leading to symptoms of heart failure. Patients may experience difficulty breathing, shortness of breath, fatigue, and other symptoms. Additionally, there may be swelling in both lower limbs. When such symptoms occur, it is necessary to take diuretic medications under the guidance of a doctor to reduce heart strain, such as furosemide or spironolactone. If necessary, digoxin may be taken to strengthen the heart and improve symptoms of heart failure. After stabilization, a mitral valve replacement or repair surgery may be scheduled.

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Written by Di Zhi Yong
Cardiology
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Can mitral stenosis be repaired?

Mitral stenosis sometimes requires surgical treatment to achieve repair standards, but it cannot be repaired solely through medication, as medications only relieve symptoms and cannot serve the purpose of treatment. This disease can cause ischemic and hypoxic changes, leading to heart failure. Patients typically present with a rumbling murmur in the precordial area, and may also experience palpitations, difficulty breathing, and other symptoms. It is sometimes crucial to actively monitor changes in the patient's blood pressure, heart rate, and pulse. The treatment primarily focuses on symptomatic relief, improving heart function, and may include the administration of low-flow oxygen inhalation to help alleviate the current condition of the patient.

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Written by Di Zhi Yong
Cardiology
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Why does mitral stenosis cause thromboembolism?

Due to mitral stenosis, thrombus formation can sometimes occur, especially when ischemic cerebrovascular diseases lead to cerebral infarction. This is because mitral stenosis can cause emboli to dislodge and travel through the bloodstream to reach the cerebral arteries or veins, leading to thrombus formation. During this period, anticoagulant medications are sometimes used for treatment. If a patient has a history of mitral stenosis, it is necessary to actively use medications for treatment. During this time, it is also important to monitor changes in the patient’s heart rate, blood pressure, and pulse to control the ventricular rate. Currently, treatment is primarily symptomatic, aimed at improving cardiac function.

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Written by Chen Tian Hua
Cardiology
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Mild tricuspid and mitral valve regurgitation, what's the matter?

Mild mitral and tricuspid regurgitation can be seen in normal individuals. As people age, factors such as valve degeneration can lead to mild regurgitation of the mitral and tricuspid valves. This condition does not require special treatment, and generally does not lead to adverse outcomes. Of course, certain diseases that cause heart enlargement can lead to widening of the valve rings, thus causing mild regurgitation of the mitral and tricuspid valves. For disease-induced mild regurgitation of these valves, it is crucial to actively treat the underlying disease causing heart enlargement, to prevent further enlargement of the heart and worsening of the regurgitation, thereby aggravating the condition of the heart disease.

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Written by Xie Zhi Hong
Cardiology
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The cause of thromboembolism in mitral stenosis

The mitral valve is an important part of the left heart system, located between the left ventricle and the left atrium. When the heart is in diastole, the mitral valve opens, allowing blood from the atrium to be transferred into the ventricle. However, when the mitral valve is narrowed, blood from the left atrium cannot flow into the left ventricle in a timely manner. This leads to an increased load on the left atrium. Over time, this can cause severe enlargement of the left atrium and lead to atrial fibrillation, a type of cardiac arrhythmia. Once atrial fibrillation occurs, it can cause thrombosis in the left atrium, particularly in the part called the atrial appendage. If a thrombus forms, it may dislodge during the heart's contractions, potentially causing systemic embolism with serious consequences, including paralysis or even sudden death.

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Written by Di Zhi Yong
Cardiology
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Why is the hemoptysis in mitral stenosis dark red?

Since mitral stenosis is a type of congenital heart disease, it could also be rheumatic heart disease. When mitral stenosis occurs, the patient mainly coughs up pink, frothy sputum because the blood at this time is dark red. Before gas exchange occurs, a person's arterial blood exhibits ischemia and hypoxia, so the blood coughed up in this state is definitely dark red. If these symptoms persist, I personally suggest going to the hospital for infusion therapy. If necessary, some hemostatic drugs should also be used to control the symptoms.