Congestive heart failure. In congestive heart failure, your heart is unable to pump sufficient blood to meet your body's needs. Fluid and pressure build up in your lungs as a result of mitral regurgitation. This can put a strain on the right side of your heart, leading to ankle swelling (edema). People with congestive heart failure experience shortness of breath and fatigue

and may wake up at night feeling short of breath.

Atrial fibrillation may develop in more severe cases. This is where the heart beats in a fast and irregular way. This occurs because the electrical signals in an enlarged atrium become faulty. The irregular heat rhythm can cause palpitations, and make you even more breathless. (See separate leaflet called 'Atrial Fibrillation'.)

Heart failure may develop and gradually become more severe. This causes worsening shortness of breath, tiredness, and fluid retention in various tissues of the body. See separate leaflet called 'Heart Failure'.

A blood clot may form within an enlarged left atrium. This is more likely if you have atrial fibrillation. A blood clot may travel through the heart, be carried in the bloodstream and get stuck and block a blood vessel in another part of the body. For example, it may get stuck in a blood vessel going to the brain and cause a stroke.

Endocarditis sometimes develops. This is an infection of the valve. (Damaged valves are more prone to infection than normal valves.) Unless promptly treated, endocarditis can cause serious illness. See separate leaflet called 'Infective Endocarditis'.

More information on mitral valve diseases (mitral valve prolapse, mitral valve regurgitation, mitral stenosis)

What is mitral valve disease? - There are many diseases which affect the mitral valve and its supporting structures. The most common disorder of the mitral valve is the partial backflow.
What is mitral valve prolapse? - Mitral valve prolapse (MVP) is a heart valve condition marked by the displacement of a thickened mitral valve leaflet into the left atrium during systole.
What causes mitral valve prolapse? - The cause of mitral valve prolapse is unknown. It is more common in people with low body weight and low blood pressure.
What're the symptoms of mitral valve prolapse? - Symptoms of mitral valve prolapse include fatigue, palpitations, chest pain, anxiety, migraine headaches, and even stroke.
How is mitral valve prolapse diagnosed? - Mitral valve prolapse is diagnosed in the course of a physical examination. Echocardiography is useful in diagnosing a prolapsed mitral valve.
What're the treatments for mitral valve prolapse? - Most people with mitral valve prolapse (MVP) do not have symptoms or need treatment. Mitral valve prolapse can be treated with surgical replacement of the mitral valve.
What is mitral valve regurgitation? - Mitral valve regurgitation happens when some of the blood in your heart leaks from the left ventricle into the left atrium.
What causes mitral valve regurgitation? - The causes of primary mitral regurgitation include myxomatous degeneration of the mitral valve, ischemic heart disease, coronary artery disease.
What're the symptoms of mitral regurgitation? - The symptoms associated with mitral regurgitation are dependent on which phase of the disease process the individual is in.
What're the complications of mitral regurgitation? - Complications of mitral regurgitation include congestive heart failure, atrial fibrillation, blood clot, endocarditis.
How is mitral regurgitation diagnosed? - The diagnosis of mitral regurgitation usually employs imaging studies such as echocardiography or magnetic resonance angiography of the heart.
What're the treatments for mitral regurgitation? - The treatment of mitral regurgitation depends on the acuteness of the disease and whether there are associated signs of hemodynamic compromise.
What is mitral valve stenosis? - Mitral valve stenosis is a narrowing of the opening of the mitral valve in the heart. Stenosis of the mitral valve prevents the valve from opening normally.
What causes mitral stenosis? - Mitral stenosis is often caused by having had rheumatic fever. Rheumatic fever can cause an infection in the mitral valve.
What are the symptoms of mitral stenosis? - Symptoms of mitral stenosis include shortness of breath, fainting, dizziness or tiredness, chest pains (angina), chest infections.
How is mitral valve stenosis diagnosed? - Mitral valve stenosis is usually detected by a physician listening to heart sounds. The diagnosis of mitral stenosis is most easily made by echocardiography.
What're the treatments for mitral stenosis? - The treatment options for mitral stenosis include medical management, surgical replacement of the valve, and percutaneous balloon valvuloplasty.
Mitral valve repair and replacement - Mitral valve replacement surgery is open-heart surgery that is done while the patient is under general anesthesia.

Heart & cardiovascular disorders Mainpage

Topics in heart disease and cardiovascular disorders

Coronary circulation disorders

Myocardium disorders

Heart valve disorders

Arrhythmias (abnormal heart rhythms)

Heart inflammation and infection

Congenital heart disease

Valvular disease (blood vessels disorders)

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Devices used in cardiology

Diagnostic tests and procedures for heart diseases

Heart transplant

Featured articles on heart disease and cardiovascular disorders

Coronary artery disease

Heart attack (myocardial infarction)

Atherosclerosis

Cardiomyopathy

Cardiac arrhythmia

Heart valve replacement

Congestive heart failure

Aortic aneurysm

Atrial fibrillation

Stroke

All information is intended for reference only. Please consult your physician for accurate medical advices and treatment. Copyright 2005, health-cares.net, all rights reserved. Last update: July 18, 2005