Mitral valve insufficiency is a type of heart disease in which the valve between the left chambers of the heart does not close completely and blood leaks backwards. It is a common problem among heart valve disorders. Mitral insufficiency is a disease that occurs for different reasons, progresses slowly and does not cause symptoms for years. The most common, but not specific, symptoms of the disease are fatigue and shortness of breath. Mitral insufficiency may develop suddenly in some cases, and this condition is called acute mitral valve insufficiency. The symptoms seen in the acute form are rapid and clear. To detect this disorder, an echocardiography test is often performed first, and with this method, a definitive diagnosis of the disease can be made. Treatment of mitral valve insufficiency can be achieved with some lifestyle changes, medications and surgical interventions.
What is Mitral Valve Insufficiency?
The mitral valve is one of the 4 main valves that ensure the correct flow of blood. Each valve opens and closes with each heartbeat. However, if one of the valves does not open and close properly, blood does not go to the right place and blood flow to the body decreases. If this condition occurs due to the mitral valve, it is called mitral valve insufficiency. This condition may be caused by a type of bacteria called group A streptococcus, which most often causes the disease that the person had in childhood. If this disease is left untreated or treated incorrectly, this bacterium can lead to failure as a result of an autoimmune reaction in the heart valve in later ages. This condition is also called rheumatic mitral insufficiency. The other most common causes are congenital heart valve failure and heart attack at older ages. Some of the factors that generally cause mitral valve insufficiency are:
- rheumatic fever disease
- Having a congenital heart defect
- having had a heart attack
- Cardiomyopathy (diseases affecting the heart muscle)
- Endocarditis (infection of the heart’s inner lining and valves)
- Having received radiotherapy
Symptoms of Mitral Valve Insufficiency
Symptoms of mitral regurgitation may vary from person to person and occur in different ways. The most common symptom is shortness of breath. While some people do not experience any symptoms, others may experience symptoms such as heart palpitations. Some of the common signs and symptoms of mitral valve insufficiency are:
- Arrhythmia (irregular heartbeat)
- Palpitations (the feeling of a fast-pounding or fluttering heartbeat)
- Heart murmur (the sound heard from the outside of blood flow from the heart)
- Shortness of breath that occurs at rest or does not go away despite rest
- Edema (fluid accumulation) in the feet and legs
- easy fatigue
How is Mitral Valve Insufficiency Diagnosed?
The diagnosis of mitral valve insufficiency can be determined during routine check-ups, based on the patients’ complaints or when they have no complaints. Doctors may hear a mitral insufficiency murmur while listening to the heartbeat with a stethoscope during the physical examination and may perform some tests for a definitive diagnosis. In cases of suspicion of mitral valve insufficiency, frequently used diagnostic methods are as follows:
- Echocardiography: Echocardiography is sound waves that take pictures of the heart. With this method, the structure of the heart and the condition of the mitral valve can be seen. Echocardiography is the method that definitively diagnoses mitral valve insufficiency.
- Electrocardiogram (ECG): Electrical signals coming from the heart are recorded through wires connected to special pads placed in certain parts of the body. With this method, irregular heartbeat that may be due to mitral valve insufficiency can be detected.
- Chest X-ray: The condition of the heart and lungs is seen with a chest X-ray. With this method, heart enlargement or fluid accumulation in the lungs can be detected.
- Cardiac MRI : With cardiac MRI, a detailed image of the heart is examined. In mitral valve insufficiency, the condition and size of the left heart chambers and the severity of the disease can be determined.
- Exercise Tests: With exercise tests, it can be determined how the heart reacts to physical activities and whether symptoms of mitral valve insufficiency appear during the test.
What are the complications of heart valve failure?
Complications of mitral valve regurgitation depend on the course of the disease. In cases of mild mitral valve regurgitation, patients may often have no obvious symptoms. Patients can live with this disorder for many years without realizing it. However, in advanced mitral valve insufficiency, the pressure on the heart increases and the heart works harder to pump blood around the body. In this case, the lower left chamber of the heart enlarges and the heart muscle weakens. Possible complications that may occur in mitral heart valve failure are as follows:
- Atrial Fibrillation: Atrial fibrillation (irregular and rapid heartbeat) occurs due to enlargement of the upper left heart chamber (atrium). This condition is a heart rhythm disorder originating from the atria of the heart. Increased risk of blood clotting and stroke may also occur due to atrial fibrillation .
- Pulmonary Hypertension: Pulmonary hypertension (high blood pressure of the lungs) is a condition of increased pressure in the lung blood vessels. As the pressure increases, fluid accumulates in the lungs. This may occur due to mitral valve regurgitation not being treated for a long time or being treated incorrectly.
- Congestive Heart Failure : As a result of mitral valve failure, the heart works harder than normal to pump enough blood to the body. As a result of high performance, the lower left heart chamber (left ventricle) becomes larger and the heart muscles weaken. If this condition is left untreated, heart failure may occur.
Mitral Valve Insufficiency Treatment
After the diagnosis of mitral valve insufficiency is made, a treatment plan appropriate to the course of the disease is created. Doctor during patient meeting; Factors such as the cause of the disease, the patient’s general health condition, the severity of blood reflux and how long the disease has been going on are evaluated and an appropriate treatment is recommended. Treatment methods for mitral valve insufficiency disease are as follows:
- Lifestyle Change: In cases where the disease does not cause any discomfort to people, its progression can be prevented with some lifestyle changes. In this type of minimal mitral insufficiency, your doctor may ask you to stop smoking and drinking alcohol. He or she may recommend that you eliminate salt, sugar, saturated and trans fats from your eating habits and consume plenty of fresh fruits, vegetables and protein. Lifestyle changes may also include regular physical activity . Regular activities can benefit heart and lung health.
- Drug Treatment: Drug treatment can be applied in cases of moderate mitral valve insufficiency. At this stage, the leakage (the amount of blood escaping back from the valve) is at a level that can be controlled with medications. These medications recommended by the doctor; There may be diuretics (diuretics) for edema in the feet and legs, blood thinners to prevent clotting, beta-blockers for heartbeat irregularities, and hypertension medications to keep blood pressure constant.
- Surgery: Surgery is performed in advanced cases where mitral valve insufficiency cannot be treated with medication or other methods. The mitral valve can be surgically repaired or replaced with an artificial valve. The surgery can be performed open or closed, depending on the condition of the damaged mitral valve.
- Transcatheter Mitral Valve Repair: This method is performed when surgery is not possible. This method can be used in cases where the patient’s age and general health condition pose a risk for surgery. The catheter is entered through a blood vessel in the leg and advanced towards the heart. With this procedure, the mitral valve can be repaired.
What Should Those with Mitral Valve Insufficiency Pay Attention to?
One of the most important things to consider in case of mitral valve insufficiency is the regular use of medications prescribed by the doctor. In addition, some painkillers and flu medications have a risk of increasing symptoms, so you should not use any medication without a doctor’s advice. Apart from this, there are some other issues that patients with mitral valve insufficiency should pay attention to. Some of these issues are as follows:
- Creating a Nutrition Routine : Nutrition program to support patients’ heart health; The patient may need to add fruits, vegetables, protein, whole grains, fish and lean meat products and eliminate high-carbohydrate foods such as saturated-trans fat, sugar, salt and pastries.
- Exercising: Regular light exercises can be beneficial in both protecting heart health and weight control. Exercises can include activities that do not tire the person and light-paced walks. However, you should definitely consult your doctor before making an exercise plan.
- Limiting Alcohol and Cigarette Use: Alcohol and cigarette use can cause weakening of the heart muscles and arrhythmia problems. Therefore, for good heart health, it may be necessary to stop or limit the use of these substances.
- Avoiding Stress: A stressful life can trigger heart diseases and negatively affect heart health. To suppress stress factors, you can do yoga, meditation or spend more time on your hobbies.
- Not Neglecting Health Checks: If you have mitral valve insufficiency, it is important to have regular check-ups with your doctor, even if you have no complaints. Cholesterol, sugar, blood pressure, etc. Checking the values regularly is necessary both for keeping the disease under control and for medication regulations.
If you or a relative is experiencing symptoms of mitral valve insufficiency or if you have an existing mitral insufficiency disease, you can contact a healthcare institution and have the necessary examinations and tests.
