Regurgitation means leaking from a valve that doesn't close all the way. It is caused by diseases that weaken or damage the valve or its supporting structures. Mitral regurgitation becomes chronic when the condition persists rather than occurring for only a short time period. Chronic mitral regurgitation should be distinguished from acute mitral regurgitation.
In acute mitral regurgitation, the mitral valve doesn't close all the way and blood flows backward into the left upper heart chamber (atrium). This leads to a decrease in blood flow to the rest of the body. As a result, the heart may try to pump harder.
Acute mitral regurgitation may be caused by dysfunction or injury to the valve following a heart attack or infection of the heart valve (infective endocarditis). These conditions may rupture the valve or surrounding structures, leaving an opening for blood to move backwards.
Mitral valve prolapse is a relatively common cause of chronic mitral regurgitation.
About one-third of all cases of chronic mitral regurgitation are caused by rheumatic heart disease, a complication of untreated strep throat that is becoming less common.
Congenital (present from birth) mitral regurgitation is rare if it is not part of a more complex heart defect or syndrome.
Chronic mitral regurgitation can also be caused by:
Atherosclerosis Endocarditis Heart tumors High blood pressure Marfan syndrome Swelling of the left lower heart chamber Untreated syphilis (rare)
Risk factors include an individual or family history of any of the disorders mentioned above and use of fenfluramine or dexfenfluramine (appetite suppressants banned by the FDA) for 4 or more months.
What causes Mitral regurgitation?
Regurgitation means leaking from a valve that doesn't close all the way. It is caused by diseases that weaken or damage the valve or its supporting structures. Mitral regurgitation becomes chronic when the condition persists rather than occurring for only a short time period. Chronic mitral regurgitation should be distinguished from acute mitral regurgitation.
In acute mitral regurgitation, the mitral valve doesn't close all the way and blood flows backward into the left upper heart chamber (atrium). This leads to a decrease in blood flow to the rest of the body. As a result, the heart may try to pump harder.
Acute mitral regurgitation may be caused by dysfunction or injury to the valve following a heart attack or infection of the heart valve (infective endocarditis). These conditions may rupture the valve or surrounding structures, leaving an opening for blood to move backwards.
Mitral valve prolapse is a relatively common cause of chronic mitral regurgitation.
About one-third of all cases of chronic mitral regurgitation are caused by rheumatic heart disease, a complication of untreated strep throat that is becoming less common.
Congenital (present from birth) mitral regurgitation is rare if it is not part of a more complex heart defect or syndrome.
Chronic mitral regurgitation can also be caused by:
Atherosclerosis Endocarditis Heart tumors High blood pressure Marfan syndrome Swelling of the left lower heart chamber Untreated syphilis (rare)
Risk factors include an individual or family history of any of the disorders mentioned above and use of fenfluramine or dexfenfluramine (appetite suppressants banned by the {{ORGANIZATION}}) for 4 or more months.