Mitral Valve Diseases

The mitral valve regulates blood flow from the upper-left chamber (the left atrium) to the lower-left chamber (the left ventricle). Three diseases can impact the mitral valve:

• Mitral valve prolapse
• Mitral valve regurgitation
• Mitral stenosis

Mitral valve prolapse (MVP) impacts the valve between the left heart chambers. It occurs when one or both of the valve flaps become enlarged, and the muscles that support the flaps are too long. 

As a result, both flaps collapse or bulge into the left atrium instead of closing evenly. This allows blood to leak backward through the mitral valve.

MVP is also referred to as click-murmur syndrome. When the prolapse occurs, it can cause a clicking sound. When the blood flows backward through the valve, it can make a murmuring sound due to the turbulent blood flow. 

Most people don’t have any outwardly noticeable symptoms with MVP. However, some patients do experience mild symptoms, which can include:

• Shortness of breath when lying down
• Chest pain
• Heart palpitations
• Coughing
• Extreme fatigue
• Trouble breathing after exercise
• Rapid heartbeat 

Complications that can develop from MVP include:

• Mitral valve regurgitation 
• Heart rhythm problems (arrhythmias) 

MVP tends to develop as people age. Serious symptoms are likely to occur most often in men older than 50. 

MVP can be inherited, and it can also be linked to several other conditions, including 

• Ebstein anomaly
• Ehlers-Danlos syndrome
• Graves’ disease
• Marfan syndrome
• Muscular dystrophy
• Scoliosis

If you have any of these conditions, you have a higher chance of developing MVP.

Mitral regurgitation occurs when the mitral valve flaps don’t close tight enough. This results in blood flowing backward even when the valve is closed. The backflow of blood makes it harder for the heart to work as normal. 

Mitral valve regurgitation is the most common type of heart valve disease. It is also referred to as:

• Mitral regurgitation (MR)
• Mitral insufficiency
• Mitral incompetence

Many people with mitral valve regurgitation may not show symptoms for years. It is generally a mild condition that progresses slowly. 

However, sometimes mitral valve regurgitation can develop quickly. When it develops quickly, it can result in sudden symptoms. 

The most common symptom is unexplained fatigue. Additional symptoms include:

• Irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia)
• Sound of blood flow across the valve (heart murmur)
• Shortness of breath (dyspnea) when lying down
• Pounding, fluttering, or rapid heartbeat (palpitations)
• Swollen feet or ankles (edema)

Mitral valve stenosis, also referred to as mitral stenosis, occurs when there is a narrowing of the heart’s mitral valve. It limits blood flow into the main pumping chamber of your heart (left ventricle) since the abnormal valve does not open properly. 

Mitral valve stenosis is most often caused by rheumatic fever, an infection related to strep throat. 

Rheumatic fever is rare in the United States but is still common in developing countries. Rheumatic fever can scar the mitral valve and result in serious heart complications if left untreated. 

There is a range of signs and symptoms that indicate mitral valve stenosis: 

• Coughing up blood
• Chest discomfort or chest pain
• Dizziness or fainting
• Fluid build-up in the lungs
• Heart murmur
• Irregular heart rhythms (arrhythmias) 
• Fatigue
• Palpitations
• Shortness of breath, especially when active or lying down
• Swollen feet or legs

These symptoms may worsen when your heart rate increases, especially when exercising. It can also be triggered by stress, infection, or pregnancy. 

If you experience signs of mitral valve disease, please call us to schedule a cardiology consultation with Dr. Lilian Ahiable.

At Sydnor Cardiovascular Center, we provide expert care for all types of cardiac problems. Entrust your heart health with Dr. Ahiable and our team at Sydnor Cardiovascular Center.

To schedule an appointment, call us at 727-300-2282 or request an appointment online.