How to Diagnose Mitral Regurgitation
Know who is at risk., Watch for shortness of breath.If you have mitral valve regurgitation, the backflow of blood through your mitral valve will compromise effective circulation and oxygenation throughout your body., Take note of your energy...
Step-by-Step Guide
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Step 1: Know who is at risk.
Age-related wear on the heart puts older adults at risk for mitral regurgitation.
Those with other heart conditions, such as congenital heart disease, or who have already experienced complications with the mitral valve are at higher risk.
Other risk factors include high blood pressure, high cholesterol and use of intravenous drugs.If you have any of these risk factors and experience signs and symptoms of mitral regurgitation, contact your doctor for evaluation. -
Step 2: Watch for shortness of breath.If you have mitral valve regurgitation
As a result of getting less oxygen with each heartbeat, you may feel short of breath.
Your shortness of breath may worsen with exertion, such as when running, walking, or going up stairs.
Shortness of breath may worsen with time as mitral valve regurgitation progresses. , Tell your doctor if you have been experiencing an unusual level of fatigue compared to what is normal for you.
It may be a sign of a heart or lung problem such as mitral regurgitation. , Other times, you may have the sensation that your heart is "fluttering" in your chest.
Palpitations may be a sign of mitral regurgitation, or of another heart problem.
It is important to inform your doctor if you are experiencing heart palpitations so that appropriate investigative tests can be ordered. , This is because the backflow of blood through your mitral valve can lead to a pressure build-up of blood in your heart.
This makes it more difficult for blood to return to your heart, thus leading to the pooling of blood in the veins of your lower legs and/or feet. , They can, however, be detected via tests that examine your heart, such as an echocardiogram. , Although this in itself is not diagnostic of mitral regurgitation, it is suspicious of a heart problem that may very well be related to your mitral valve. , A chest x-ray provides a more detailed view of your heart and lungs.
If you do in fact have mitral regurgitation, the chest x-ray may show an enlarged left atrium or left ventricle.
It may also show signs of fluid in your lungs (called "pulmonary edema") which can be caused by the backflow of blood through your mitral valve and the subsequent buildup of pressure in your heart and lung area.
A chest x-ray can also be used to rule in or rule out other heart or lung conditions that may present similarly to mitral regurgitation. , (Note that an echocardiogram, also called an "echo," is different than an electrocardiogram, also called an ECG or EKG.) Initially, you will most likely receive a TTE ("transthoracic echocardiogram"), meaning that the ultrasound probe is placed on the outside of your chest and an image of your heart is projected in real time onto a screen.
Doctors can usually tell if there is any problem with your mitral valve with a TTE.
They can also assess the pattern and direction of blood flow through various chambers of your heart, helping to determine the extent of the regurgitation.
If a TTE is insufficient to make the diagnosis, you can receive a TEE ("transesophageal echocardiogram").
This is where, rather than having the ultrasound probe placed on the outside of your chest, a tube-like ultrasound probe is inserted into your esophagus.
Since your esophagus is located much closer to your heart, a TEE can provide an even more detailed view of your heart and mitral valve than a TTE can. , It can also help doctors to decide if and when surgery is necessary.
In some cases, other investigative tests are needed both to further assess the mitral valve, as well as diagnose any other issues with the heart including atherosclerosis in the cardiac blood vessels so a treatment plan can be formulated addressing all the cardiac issues.
If this is the case, your doctor may consider the following:
A cardiac MRI An exercise stress test Cardiac catheterization A CT angiogram , There are two types of mitral regurgitation: primary or secondary.
If you suffer from primary mitral regurgitation, there is an issue with the mitral valve itself; if it is secondary mitral regurgitation, then the issue is with the surrounding structures and not the valve.Primary mitral regurgitation may be caused by the following: ruptured chord, valve prolapse, endocarditis (infection), rheumatic fever, valve calcification, or certain drugs.Secondary mitral regurgitation may be caused by the following: coronary artery disease, heart failure, complication of a heart attack, or hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (thickening of the heart muscle).,"Mild cases of mitral regurgitation do not need immediate surgical treatment.
Instead, your doctor may advise "watchful waiting." In this approach, you may be given medications to help reduce your symptoms and/or your cardiovascular risk factors, and you will be asked to return for regular tests, including echocardiograms, on your mitral valve.
Note that, eventually, most cases of mitral regurgitation do need surgery.
It is just a question of when surgery is needed, which is usually not until further along in the course of the disease. , This is ideally done via repeat echocardiograms to assess the function and integrity of your mitral valve.
As previously mentioned, an echocardiogram allows for a structural view of your heart and valves, and it can also identify the direction of blood flow as the heart pumps to evaluate the extent of regurgitation.
The frequency with which you will need to receive echocardiograms for your mitral valve will depend upon the severity of your condition. , These may include:
A diuretic ("water pill") such as Hydrochlorothiazide or furosemide to reduce leg swelling, if you have been experiencing this as a symptom of mitral regurgitation.
A blood thinning medication such as Warfarin (Coumadin) to prevent blood clots, particularly if you have concurrent atrial fibrillation.
A blood pressure medication such as Ramipril if your blood pressure is elevated, as high blood pressure tends to worsen the symptoms of mitral regurgitation.
Other medications such as statins (to lower cholesterol) to diminish any other cardiovascular risk factors that you may have. , A valve repair (fixing the valve that is already there) is usually preferable to a valve replacement surgery (where either a biologic or a mechanical valve is inserted in the place of your old mitral valve).
The surgeon will go over the options with you to decide which procedure is most suited to your particular case.
Valve repair is usually preferable to valve replacement, as there is lower risk of complications (including stroke and infection), and improved rates of survival and preservation of heart function.
Valve replacement requires long-term (or even life-long) use of an anticoagulant drug; this is not necessary with a valve repair. -
Step 3: the backflow of blood through your mitral valve will compromise effective circulation and oxygenation throughout your body.
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Step 4: Take note of your energy level.In addition to shortness of breath
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Step 5: the decreased effectiveness of circulation from mitral valve regurgitation can lead you feeling more tired than usual.
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Step 6: Tell your doctor if you are experiencing "palpitations" (unusual heartbeats).Palpitations are sometimes felt as unusually forceful heartbeats.
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Step 7: Look out for swelling of your lower legs
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Step 8: ankles
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Step 9: and/or feet.Another possible sign of mitral regurgitation is swelling of your lower extremities.
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Step 10: Be aware that you may present with no signs or symptoms.Many cases of mitral regurgitation have no observable signs or symptoms.
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Step 11: Have your heart listened to with a stethoscope.If you have mitral regurgitation
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Step 12: your doctor may be able to hear a heart murmur (the sound of blood flowing backward through your mitral valve) when he listens with a stethoscope.
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Step 13: Opt for a chest x-ray.If you present to your doctor with symptoms related to your cardiovascular and/or respiratory systems
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Step 14: she will most likely order a chest x-ray.
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Step 15: Receive an echocardiogram.The most accurate way to diagnose mitral regurgitation — as well as to assess the severity of the condition — is via an echocardiogram.
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Step 16: Ask your doctor for other investigative tests as needed.An echocardiogram is usually sufficient to diagnose mitral regurgitation and to delineate the degree of regurgitation.
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Step 17: Classify which type of mitral regurgitation you have.
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Step 18: Opt for "watchful waiting.
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Step 19: Go for repeat echocardiograms to monitor the status of your mitral valve.The key part of "watchful waiting" is regular monitoring.
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Step 20: Take medication to reduce symptoms and risk factors.While you are in the process of "waiting" (for if and when you will need mitral valve surgery down the road)
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Step 21: your doctor will likely offer you some medications.
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Step 22: Have surgery on your mitral valve.The only definitive treatment for mitral regurgitation is to have surgery to fix the valve.
Detailed Guide
Age-related wear on the heart puts older adults at risk for mitral regurgitation.
Those with other heart conditions, such as congenital heart disease, or who have already experienced complications with the mitral valve are at higher risk.
Other risk factors include high blood pressure, high cholesterol and use of intravenous drugs.If you have any of these risk factors and experience signs and symptoms of mitral regurgitation, contact your doctor for evaluation.
As a result of getting less oxygen with each heartbeat, you may feel short of breath.
Your shortness of breath may worsen with exertion, such as when running, walking, or going up stairs.
Shortness of breath may worsen with time as mitral valve regurgitation progresses. , Tell your doctor if you have been experiencing an unusual level of fatigue compared to what is normal for you.
It may be a sign of a heart or lung problem such as mitral regurgitation. , Other times, you may have the sensation that your heart is "fluttering" in your chest.
Palpitations may be a sign of mitral regurgitation, or of another heart problem.
It is important to inform your doctor if you are experiencing heart palpitations so that appropriate investigative tests can be ordered. , This is because the backflow of blood through your mitral valve can lead to a pressure build-up of blood in your heart.
This makes it more difficult for blood to return to your heart, thus leading to the pooling of blood in the veins of your lower legs and/or feet. , They can, however, be detected via tests that examine your heart, such as an echocardiogram. , Although this in itself is not diagnostic of mitral regurgitation, it is suspicious of a heart problem that may very well be related to your mitral valve. , A chest x-ray provides a more detailed view of your heart and lungs.
If you do in fact have mitral regurgitation, the chest x-ray may show an enlarged left atrium or left ventricle.
It may also show signs of fluid in your lungs (called "pulmonary edema") which can be caused by the backflow of blood through your mitral valve and the subsequent buildup of pressure in your heart and lung area.
A chest x-ray can also be used to rule in or rule out other heart or lung conditions that may present similarly to mitral regurgitation. , (Note that an echocardiogram, also called an "echo," is different than an electrocardiogram, also called an ECG or EKG.) Initially, you will most likely receive a TTE ("transthoracic echocardiogram"), meaning that the ultrasound probe is placed on the outside of your chest and an image of your heart is projected in real time onto a screen.
Doctors can usually tell if there is any problem with your mitral valve with a TTE.
They can also assess the pattern and direction of blood flow through various chambers of your heart, helping to determine the extent of the regurgitation.
If a TTE is insufficient to make the diagnosis, you can receive a TEE ("transesophageal echocardiogram").
This is where, rather than having the ultrasound probe placed on the outside of your chest, a tube-like ultrasound probe is inserted into your esophagus.
Since your esophagus is located much closer to your heart, a TEE can provide an even more detailed view of your heart and mitral valve than a TTE can. , It can also help doctors to decide if and when surgery is necessary.
In some cases, other investigative tests are needed both to further assess the mitral valve, as well as diagnose any other issues with the heart including atherosclerosis in the cardiac blood vessels so a treatment plan can be formulated addressing all the cardiac issues.
If this is the case, your doctor may consider the following:
A cardiac MRI An exercise stress test Cardiac catheterization A CT angiogram , There are two types of mitral regurgitation: primary or secondary.
If you suffer from primary mitral regurgitation, there is an issue with the mitral valve itself; if it is secondary mitral regurgitation, then the issue is with the surrounding structures and not the valve.Primary mitral regurgitation may be caused by the following: ruptured chord, valve prolapse, endocarditis (infection), rheumatic fever, valve calcification, or certain drugs.Secondary mitral regurgitation may be caused by the following: coronary artery disease, heart failure, complication of a heart attack, or hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (thickening of the heart muscle).,"Mild cases of mitral regurgitation do not need immediate surgical treatment.
Instead, your doctor may advise "watchful waiting." In this approach, you may be given medications to help reduce your symptoms and/or your cardiovascular risk factors, and you will be asked to return for regular tests, including echocardiograms, on your mitral valve.
Note that, eventually, most cases of mitral regurgitation do need surgery.
It is just a question of when surgery is needed, which is usually not until further along in the course of the disease. , This is ideally done via repeat echocardiograms to assess the function and integrity of your mitral valve.
As previously mentioned, an echocardiogram allows for a structural view of your heart and valves, and it can also identify the direction of blood flow as the heart pumps to evaluate the extent of regurgitation.
The frequency with which you will need to receive echocardiograms for your mitral valve will depend upon the severity of your condition. , These may include:
A diuretic ("water pill") such as Hydrochlorothiazide or furosemide to reduce leg swelling, if you have been experiencing this as a symptom of mitral regurgitation.
A blood thinning medication such as Warfarin (Coumadin) to prevent blood clots, particularly if you have concurrent atrial fibrillation.
A blood pressure medication such as Ramipril if your blood pressure is elevated, as high blood pressure tends to worsen the symptoms of mitral regurgitation.
Other medications such as statins (to lower cholesterol) to diminish any other cardiovascular risk factors that you may have. , A valve repair (fixing the valve that is already there) is usually preferable to a valve replacement surgery (where either a biologic or a mechanical valve is inserted in the place of your old mitral valve).
The surgeon will go over the options with you to decide which procedure is most suited to your particular case.
Valve repair is usually preferable to valve replacement, as there is lower risk of complications (including stroke and infection), and improved rates of survival and preservation of heart function.
Valve replacement requires long-term (or even life-long) use of an anticoagulant drug; this is not necessary with a valve repair.
About the Author
Hannah Johnson
Experienced content creator specializing in creative arts guides and tutorials.
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