Mitral regurgitation

If your doctor suspects that you may have a mitral valve disease, they will listen to your heart with a stethoscope. Unusual sounds or rhythm patterns can help them diagnose what’s going on.

Your doctor may order additional tests to help confirm a mitral valve disease diagnosis.

Imaging tests

Echocardiogram: This test uses ultrasound waves to produce images of the heart’s structure and function.

X-ray: This common test produces images on computer or film by sending X-ray particles through the body.

Transesophageal echocardiogram: This test produces a more detailed image of your heart than a traditional echocardiogram. During the procedure, your doctor threads a device emitting ultrasound waves into your esophagus, which is located right behind the heart.

Cardiac catheterization: This procedure allows your doctor to do a variety of tests, including getting an image of the heart’s blood vessels. During the procedure, your doctor inserts a long, thin tube into your arm, upper thigh, or neck and threads it up to your heart.

Electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG): This test records your heart’s electrical activity.

If treatment is necessary, your doctor may begin by treating you with medications. There are no medications that can actually fix the structural issues with your mitral valve. Some medications can ease your symptoms or prevent them from getting worse. These medications may include:

antiarrhythmics, to treat abnormal heart rhythms

anticoagulants, to thin your blood

beta blockers, to slow your heart rate

diuretics, to reduce accumulation of fluid in your lungs

Valvuloplasty

In some cases, your doctor may need to perform medical procedures. For example, in cases of mitral valve stenosis, your doctor may be able to use a balloon to open up the valve in a procedure called balloon valvuloplasty.

Surgery

In severe cases, surgery might be necessary. Your doctor might be able to surgically repair your existing mitral valve to make it function properly. If that isn’t possible, you may need to have your mitral valve replaced with a new one. The replacement might be either biological or mechanical. The biological replacement might be obtained from a cow, pig, or human cadaver.