• A failed mitral valve allows blood to flow backward into the left atrium, causing mitral regurgitation. Untreated, this condition can cause symptoms and complications. When you first visit our Atlanta cardiologists, they will conduct a thorough initial consultation. In most cases, this means reviewing your medical history, giving you a physical exam, listening to your heart with a stethoscope, and ordering diagnostic tests like echocardiograms or cardiac MRIs.

   

• Using the results of these tests, your cardiologist will diagnose if you have mitral regurgitation and then determine its severity, classifying it as mild, moderate, or severe. The most effective treatment method is based on this classification.

   

  The treatment of mitral regurgitation varies depending on its severity and underlying cause. For mild cases, your cardiologist may recommend regular check-ups to monitor the condition, along with lifestyle changes such as adopting a heart-healthy diet, engaging in appropriate exercise, quitting smoking, and managing blood pressure. While these measures won’t fix the valve itself, they can help manage symptoms and slow the progression of the condition.

   

  Medications can also help manage mitral regurgitation. Although they can’t repair the valve, they can help alleviate symptoms and prevent complications. Your cardiologist might prescribe diuretics to reduce fluid buildup, blood pressure medications to ease the heart’s workload, or blood thinners to prevent clots.

• Surgical intervention often becomes necessary for moderate-to-severe mitral regurgitation. When possible, surgical repair is typically the preferred treatment. This approach involves repairing the existing valve to improve its function, preserving the patient’s natural valve tissue. In some cases, minimally invasive techniques may be used, reducing recovery time and potential complications.

   

  In situations where repair isn’t feasible, valve replacement may be required. Patients have two main options: mechanical valves, which are highly durable but require lifelong blood thinners, or bioprosthetic valves, made from animal tissue. While bioprosthetic valves may not last as long, they don’t necessitate ongoing anticoagulation therapy.

   

  For high-risk patients unable to undergo open-heart surgery, transcatheter procedures offer a less invasive alternative. The MitraClip, for instance, is a device inserted through a catheter to clip the valve leaflets together, reducing regurgitation. Another option is Transcatheter Mitral Valve Replacement (TMVR), which replaces the valve using a catheter-based approach.

• After treatment, your CVG cardiologist will schedule regular follow-ups to monitor your recovery, adjust medications as needed, and perform periodic echocardiograms to assess valve function. This ongoing care is crucial for ensuring the long-term success of your treatment.

   

  When selecting an Atlanta cardiologist for mitral regurgitation treatment, consider CVG’s board-certified specialists in cardiovascular disease, particularly those with expertise in valvular heart disease. Our cardiologists are experienced in the latest treatment techniques to provide the very best cardiac care.

Trust your heart health to CVG’s twenty board-certified cardiologists. Equipped with leading-edge diagnostic tools, a wealth of experience, and compassion, our cardiac team provides the highest level of personalized care.

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.