Mitral Valve Regurgitation
Blood Leaks from the Left Ventricle
Mitral valve regurgitation (MR) is when blood leaks from the left ventricle, across the mitral valve, and into the left atrium.
Typically Requires Treatment
This condition typically needs to be treated, with medications, surgery, or both. Mitral valve regurgitation can be a progression from mitral valve prolapse (MVP), a complication of MVP or a separate condition all its own. As many as one in five people over age 55 has some degree of mitral valve regurgitation, also known as mitral regurgitation, mitral insufficiency or mitral incompetence.
Can Lead to Serious Heart Conditions
If mitral valve regurgitation is serious enough, blood flow to the rest of the body may decrease and blood returning to the receiving chamber can increase pressure in the lungs. The left ventricle at first may enlarge to compensate but eventually the change weakens the heart and can lead to heart failure and heart rhythm irregularities including atrial fibrillation.