• The mitral valve plays a crucial role in heart function, regulating blood flow between the left atrium and left ventricle. Located between these two chambers, it ensures that blood flows in the correct direction during the cardiac cycle. When the mitral valve doesn’t function properly, it can lead to various disorders that affect overall heart health and function. These disorders can be categorized into two main types: those that cause the valve to close incompletely (regurgitation) and those that prevent the valve from opening fully (stenosis). Additionally, there are other less common but significant mitral valve conditions that can impact heart health.

• Another name for mitral valve regurgitation is mitral insufficiency. It is one of the most common problems with the mitral valve. When the left ventricle contracts and the valve does not close all the way, blood flows backward into the left atrium. There are two types of this condition: primary (degenerative) and secondary (functional). For example, prolapse, flail leaflet, or damage from rheumatic fever can all affect the structure of the valve and lead to primary mitral regurgitation. When the left ventricle’s shape or function changes, like when someone has heart failure or coronary artery disease, secondary mitral regurgitation happens. Depending on how bad it is, mitral regurgitation can cause shortness of breath, tiredness, and heartbeats that are not regular. In severe cases, it may require surgical intervention or valve replacement.

• When you have mitral valve stenosis, the opening of the mitral valve gets smaller, which stops blood from moving from the left atrium to the left ventricle. Because of this, the heart works much harder to push blood through the narrowed valve opening. The most common cause of mitral stenosis is rheumatic fever, although this has become less prevalent in developed countries. Birth defects that affect the heart, too much calcium in the body, and radiation therapy to the chest area are some other reasons. Mitral stenosis can cause tiredness, shortness of breath (especially when exercising), heart palpitations, and, in the worst cases, chest pain. Treatment options may include medication to manage symptoms and surgery to repair or replace the valve.

While regurgitation and stenosis are the most common mitral valve disorders, there are other conditions that can affect this crucial heart structure. Mitral valve prolapse is when one or both of the valve flaps bulge back into the left atrium during the heart’s contraction. While often benign, it can sometimes lead to regurgitation. Endocarditis, an infection of the heart’s inner lining, can also affect the mitral valve, causing damage that may lead to regurgitation or stenosis. Congenital mitral valve defects, though rare, can occur and may require early intervention. These can include conditions like parachute mitral valve, where the chordae tendineae are attached to a single papillary muscle instead of two, potentially leading to stenosis or regurgitation.

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You can review our cardiologists’ pages and explore their exceptional credentials and dedication to providing quality care. You can trust that our doctors genuinely care about you and will do everything they can to ensure you have the best quality of life possible.

To learn more, please call (770) 962-0399 or 678-582-8586. You may also request an appointment online. If you have an emergency, don’t contact us online; please call 911.