Mitral Valve Disease
- What it is
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.
