Do you have a problem with your heart's mitral valve? Let's talk about Mitral Valve Disease!

Do you sometimes feel a little pain in your chest, difficulty breathing, or a sudden change in the rate of your heartbeat? You may think that these are normal things. However, these can sometimes be symptoms of some weakness in the mitral valve in your heart. Don't worry, today we will talk simply about this mitral valve disease (`Mitral Valve Disease`) .

What is the mitral valve? How does it work in the heart?

Simply put, your heart is an amazing organ. It has four main chambers. It's like the rooms in a house. As blood travels between these chambers, there are little gates that keep it flowing in one direction only. That's what we call valves . The mitral valve is located between the upper chamber on the left side of your heart (the left atrium) and the lower chamber (the left ventricle). It's like a little gate. Its main job is to let oxygen-rich blood from the lungs pass from the left atrium to the left ventricle. The left ventricle then pumps the blood throughout the body. The mitral valve is like a traffic cop , letting blood flow in one direction only and not back out. So, if something is damaged in this mitral valve, or if it doesn't work properly, then it's called Mitral Valve Disease . This can happen suddenly, or it can develop over time. Some people can be born with this condition (congenital).

What are the main types of mitral valve disease?

There are three main types of mitral valve disease. Let's look at what they are. Think of your mitral valve as a door with two flaps (`leaflets` or `cusps`). These flaps need to open and close properly to let blood through. 1. Mitral Valve Stenosis: This is when the flaps become thick, stiff, and do not open properly. This narrows the path for blood from the left atrium to the left ventricle. It's like a water pipe that is clogged. This makes the heart work harder to pump blood. 2. Mitral Valve Prolapse: This is when the flaps become too flexible, and when the heart contracts, they protrude into the left atrium. They sag like old fabric. This can cause the valve to not close properly. If this happens, sometimes blood starts to leak backward (`regurgitation`). 3. Mitral Valve Regurgitation: This is usually called a ` `leaky valve`` or ``mitral insufficiency``.It's also called. What happens here is that the flaps of the valve don't close together properly. Then, some of the blood that went into the left ventricle leaks back into the left atrium. It's like air leaking out of a punctured balloon. Some people can have more than one of these types.

Who gets mitral valve disease? How common is it?

This disease can develop at any age. Some babies are born with this problem. Some adults can develop it suddenly, either due to a heart infection or a heart attack . However, it usually develops gradually in older people as the valve weakens. The type called `Mitral Valve Prolapse` is more common in women. However, it can be a little more dangerous if it develops in men, because they are more likely to have severe regurgitation.

• Mitral Valve Stenosis is a little less common in countries like America. However, it is more common in countries where rheumatic fever is common.
• Mitral Valve Prolapse is more common. About 1 in 33 people in the United States may have it. But not everyone will have severe blood leakage.
• Mitral Valve Regurgitation is also common. About one in 10 people in the United States is said to have a leak in their heart valve. The most common type of leak is the mitral valve.

What are the symptoms of mitral valve disease?

The symptoms you experience depend on the type of mitral valve disease you have and its severity. Sometimes you may have no symptoms at all . Or you may experience things like:

• Chest pain or tightness.
• Cough , sometimes with a little blood.
• Dizziness or fainting.
• Tiredness and fatigue (` Fatigue` ) .
• Heart palpitations . You may feel your heart beating faster or hear the sound of your heart beating.
• Some people may get migraines .
• A condition called "Mitral facies." This is when the cheeks appear a pinkish-purple color.
• "Orthostatic hypotension" (`Orthostatic hypotension`) . That means suddenly falling asleep when standing up.Lowering blood pressure .
• Shortness of breath , especially when you are tired or when you lie down.
• Swelling of the legs, ankles, and feet .

These symptoms can also be associated with other heart conditions (atrial fibrillation, heart failure).

What are the causes of mitral valve disease?

There could be a number of reasons for this. Let's look at the main ones:

• Congenital heart defects: Some people are born with problems with the mitral valve.
• Connective tissue disorders: Examples include conditions such as Marfan syndrome and Ehlers-Danlos syndrome .
• Heart infections (endocarditis): Infections inside the heart can damage the valves.
• Left ventricular enlargement: This can often be caused by a heart attack or a condition such as cardiomyopathy (weakening of the heart muscle).
• Aging: As you age, calcium can build up in your heart valves. This can cause the valves to thicken and not work properly.
• Radiation therapy: People who have had radiation therapy to the chest area may develop heart valve damage 10-20 years later.
• Rheumatic fever: This is a fever caused by a bacterial infection. If not treated properly, it can damage the heart valves over the years. In the past, this was the main cause of Mitral Valve Stenosis. Now, due to antibiotics, this has decreased significantly.

How is mitral valve disease diagnosed?

This can only be determined by a doctor examining you and performing certain tests .

Physical examination

The doctor will place a stethoscope on your chest and listen to your heart sounds. They will then look for specific sounds (murmurs) associated with different types of mitral valve disease.

• In `Mitral Valve Stenosis` : You may hear a sound as blood passes through the narrowed valve and a ``snap`` sound as the valve opens.
• In `Mitral Valve Prolapse` : A `click` sound may be heard, followed by a `murmur`. This is also called `click-murmur syndrome`.
• In `Mitral Valve Regurgitation` : A `murmur` is heard as blood leaks backward.

In addition, they will ask about your symptoms and whether anyone in your family has heart disease.

Diagnostic tests

An echocardiogram (echo) is the best test for this. It can look at many things, such as the condition of the heart valves, the size of the heart, and how it works. It's like an ultrasound scan. In addition, it can do tests like:

• Electrocardiography (ECG/EKG): This measures the electrical activity of the heart.
• Chest X-ray: This can be used to check for enlargement of the left ventricle and accumulation of fluid, such as water, in the lungs.
• Cardiac Catheterization: A small tube is inserted into the heart through a blood vessel to measure the pressure inside the heart. This can help to check for mitral valve stenosis. This is also done before surgery to check for problems with the coronary arteries.

How is mitral valve disease treated?

If you don't have symptoms, you probably don't need treatment. Your doctor will monitor you regularly and monitor your condition. If you have symptoms, they will need to be treated. The treatment depends on many factors, such as your condition, age, and whether you have other medical conditions. There are several main treatment options:

• Medications:

Your doctor may prescribe medications to help control your symptoms. For example, diuretics, beta-blockers or calcium channel blockers , and blood pressure medications. They may also prescribe blood thinners or anticoagulants to reduce the risk of blood clots.

• `Balloon Valvotomy`:

This is done for people with `Mitral Valve Stenosis`. A small balloon-shaped catheter is passed through a blood vessel into the heart, and the balloon is inflated near the blocked valve, opening the valve and widening the passage for blood to flow.

• Mitral valve repair surgery:

Whenever possible, doctors try to repair the valve rather than removing it. This allows you to keep your own valve and avoid some of the complications that come with an artificial valve.

• Mitral valve replacement surgery:

Sometimes, if the valve is too damaged to repair, it has to be removed and an artificial valve inserted.

• Minimally invasive surgery (`Minimally invasive mitral valve repair`):

These methods allow for faster recovery because the surgery is performed through small incisions rather than large incisions. There are methods such as `Right mini-thoracotomy` , `partial upper sternotomy` , and `robotically-assisted repair` .

• Percutaneous interventions:

These are treatments that use a catheter. They are very suitable for people with enlarged and weak hearts. For people with `Mitral Valve Regurgitation`, a small device called `MitraClip™` can be attached to the valve, making it close properly and reducing the backflow of blood.

• Percutaneous mitral valve replacement:

For those who are at high risk for surgery but have a suitable valve position, sometimes a new valve is implanted from within the old, diseased valve.

The most important thing is to discuss the treatment method that is best for you with your doctor.

Possible complications during treatment

These surgeries and treatments are generally very successful. The risk of complications is low. However, as with any heart surgery, the following can occur:

• Irregular heartbeat (`Arrhythmia`)
• Bleeding
• Blood clots
• Heart attack
• Heart block
• Infection

These risks vary depending on the treatment you receive and your health condition, so talk to your doctor about this as well.

Can mitral valve disease be prevented?

It's often difficult to prevent these valve diseases. However, there are some things you can do to reduce your risk as you age:

• Maintain a healthy weight. It's very good for your heart and blood vessels.
• Take the antibiotics your doctor prescribes for things like strep throat or scarlet fever for exactly the right amount of time.
• See a doctor at least once a year for a health checkup .

If you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant, talk to your doctor about things you can do to reduce your baby's risk of having a congenital heart defect. He or she will likely advise you to avoid smoking, alcohol, and drugs. If someone in your family has a history of congenital heart disease or connective tissue disease, you may want to consider genetic testing .

How long can you live with mitral valve disease?

This depends on many factors, including the type of disease you have, its severity, how much damage it has done to your heart, and when you receive treatment. So, talk to your doctor about your situation.

When should I see a doctor?

If you have symptoms of mitral valve disease, see a doctor right away . Early detection can help prevent serious complications later. If your condition is mild, your doctor will likely ask you to come in regularly to monitor your condition. Don't forget to go for follow-up visits after treatment.

Cases requiring emergency treatment

If something like this happens, you should immediately call 1990 or go to the nearest hospital:

• Severe chest pain.
• Loss of consciousness, dizziness, or extreme weakness.
• If the heart beats fast or irregularly.
• Sudden severe difficulty breathing.
• If you experience an unexpected side effect from a medication you are taking.

If you are taking blood thinners (anticoagulants), seek medical advice immediately if you fall. It is important to get checked out, even if you don't see any outward signs of damage, as there is a risk of internal bleeding.

What questions should I ask the doctor?

Once you've been diagnosed with mitral valve disease, it's important to learn more about it. Ask your doctor questions like these:

• How bad is my condition?
• Could this get worse over time?
• Do I need surgery? If so, when?
• Can I have minimally invasive surgery or treatment through a catheter?
• Can my valve be repaired, or do I need to get a new valve?
• How is the treatment process?
• What are the risks and benefits of this treatment?
• How long does it take to recover?
• How often do I need to come for follow-up?
• Will I have to take any medications now or after treatment? For how long?
• What changes do I need to make in my lifestyle?

Valve repair is a complex process, so it is very important to find an experienced specialist.

How can I take care of myself?

Your doctor will advise you based on your condition. In general, these things are important:

• Take your medication as prescribed.
• Take good care of your teeth and gums. (Oral health also affects the heart)
• Exercise as the doctor says.
• Avoid smoking, alcohol, and drugs.
• Control stress .
• Sleep well.

Update your emergency medical information card.

If you have any valve disease, you should tell all your doctors and dentists. You may need to take antibiotics before some dental or medical procedures. It is also very important to keep an emergency medical information card with you. It should contain the following information:

• Your full name and date of birth.
• The telephone number of someone to notify in an emergency.
• Details of your primary care physician.
• Your allergies.
• Every medicine you take.
• The type of valve disease you have.
• Did you repair or replace the valve?
• Whether you take blood thinners.

If you don't know how to do this, ask your doctor. You can write these details on a small card and keep it in your purse or wallet.

Finally, I have to say... (Take-Home Message)

Mitral valve disease does not affect everyone the same. Some people may not have any symptoms. Others may experience significant problems with their daily activities. The most important thing is to see your doctor regularly and monitor your health. Tell your doctor immediately if you notice any new symptoms or changes in your symptoms. Although valve disease cannot be prevented in most cases, adopting a heart-healthy lifestyle can help keep not only your valves but your entire heart healthy. Don't worry, with proper medical advice and treatment, you too can manage this condition well and live a healthy life! Mitral Valve Disease, Heart Disease, Valve Disease, Breathing Difficulty, Chest Pain, Heart Surgery, Mitral Valve Disease