| |
Mitral Regurgitation
Mitral regurgitation (MR) occurs when the leaflets (or flaps) of the heart's mitral valve do not close properly and leak.
The mitral valve is a one-way valve that separates the left atrium (a chamber in the heart which collects blood from the lungs)
from the left ventricle (a chamber in the heart which pumps blood to the rest of the body). During pumping, the leak in the
mitral valve causes blood to flow backwards (MR) into the left atrium, thereby decreasing blood flow to the body. To maintain
blood flow to the body and compensate for the MR, the left ventricle must pump harder. Backflow due to MR places an extra
burden on the left ventricle and lungs. Eventually, this burden can cause other problems such as:
 |
Stroke |
|
Sudden death |
|
Irregular heartbeat
|
|
Increasing damage to the heart muscle (Progressive myocardial injury) |
|
Inability to maintain adequate circulation of blood (Congestive heart failure) |
Click here for more information about MR.
|
