The mitral valve is located between the left heart chambers (left atrium and left ventricle) and keeps blood flowing in the correct direction. Mitral regurgitation (MR) is a condition in which the mitral valve leaflets do not close tightly. When this happens, blood flows backward from the left ventricle into the left atrium. The heart must then work harder to push blood through the body, which can cause fatigue, shortness of breath and worsening heart failure.
There are several causes of mitral regurgitation and these include:
For mild cases, treatment may not be necessary but you will need to be monitored closely by your doctor. For more severe cases, options include medical treatment, surgery, or a less-invasive transcatheter mitral valve repair (MitraClip therapy).
