Signs and symptoms of mitral insufficiency may include shortness of breath, fatigue on exertion, heart murmur (turbulence in the bloodstream), palpitations, swelling of the ankles or feet, loss of consciousness, and even death.
However, not all people with mitral regurgitation manifest symptoms, which depend on the rate of progression and the severity of the problem.
Mitral regurgitation is the most common disease affecting heart valves. Usually, the cases progress slowly and the person can go several years without manifesting signs and symptoms.
On the other hand, it is known that people with advanced mitral insufficiency have bad evolution of the painting over time.
Heart and lungs
In more severe cases of mitral regurgitation, the heart may become dilated and the lungs overload.
THE dilation of the heart occurs because of the accumulation of blood in its chambers, since the defect of the mitral valve causes a regurgitation of blood to the atrium, reversing the normal blood flow.
Since the heart is always full, the blood that should come from lungs also accumulates in these organs, which go into overload.
Mitral insufficiency or regurgitation, as it is also known, is caused by a defect that prevents the complete closure of the mitral valve. As a result, there is a regurgitation of blood into the heart at a time when it should be pumped into the rest of the body.
The treatment of mitral insufficiency can be done with medications or surgery, according to the severity of each case.
The cardiologist is the specialist responsible for the diagnosis of mitral insufficiency.
Learn more at:
What causes mitral regurgitation?
Mitral insufficiency can kill? Is there treatment?
