Mitral Regurgitation or Mitral Valve Regurgitation occurs when your heart’s mitral valve has the inability to close entirely which causes your blood flow to reverse back into your heart. This process impedes your blood from moving through the heart and to the rest of the body in an efficient manner which can quickly make you feel tired or out of breath. There are two types of MVR, primary and secondary. Primary MVR means that there is an abnormality in the mitral valve, whereas secondary MVR is due to a left ventricle defect.
What Problems Can Come from Mitral Valve Regurgitation?
The leakage caused my Mitral Valve Regurgitation increases your blood volume and the pressure in that area. That increase in blood pressure in your left atrium can elevate the pressure in the veins that go from your lungs to your heart, also known as your pulmonary veins. If the regurgitation is severe, it will result in a fluid buildup in your lungs.
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How Do I know If I have Mitral Valve Regurgitation?
Consulting a doctor is the only way to solidify whether or not you may have Mitral Valve Regurgitation. If you’ve developed symptoms that suggest there may be a problem with your heart, you should book an appointment to see your doctor immediately. Sometimes the first signs of complications are indicators that an abnormality is present.
If you’re feeling the following symptoms, it is time to book a consultation.
Symptoms of Mitral Valve Regurgitation
- Blood flowing intensely through your heart also referred to as a heart murmur
- Shortness of breath, particularly when you lay down or with exertion
- Fatigue during times of amplified activity
- Heart palpitations which can feel like a sensation of rapid, pulsating heartbeat
- Swollen ankles or swollen feet
After consulting your doctor, they may recommend that you see a cardiologist in order to have an echocardiogram performed. Do not wait to find out whether or not the symptoms you’re experiencing are due to Mitral Valve Regurgitation, contact us today so we can help you.
