Mitral Valve Disease

Symptoms | Treatments

What is

Diagnosis

What is - Mitral Valve Disease

In mitral valve disease, the mitral valve, which is located between the left heart chambers (left atrium and left ventricle), is not functioning properly.

The main types of mitral valve disease include:

Mitral valve regurgitation: This occurs when the mitral valve does not close tightly, causing blood to leak backward (regurgitate) into the left atrium of your heart. If left untreated, it can result in damage to the heart muscles.
Mitral valve stenosis: This occurs when the flaps of the mitral valve become thick or stiff, and may result in the flaps fusing together. Therefore, the mitral valve opening narrows and reduces blood flow from the left atrium to the left ventricle.

Diagnosis of Mitral Valve Disease

Diagnosis typically starts with a physical examination by a doctor, assessing your medical history and routine tests. Other tests recommended may include: