What is Mitral Regurgitation?
Mitral regurgitation means that the valve between the left atrium and left ventricle is leaky.
The causes of Mitral valve regurgitation are those that develop after birth(acquired)or before birth (congenital). Congenital Mitral regurgitation is fairly unusual and is usually associated with other heart abnormalities.
Some causes of acquired chronic mitral regurgitation:
Rheumatic heart disease (the body’s immune system attacks the valve)
Hypertension (very high blood pressure)
Coronary artery disease (a sick heart enlarges and makes the valves leak)
Marfan’s syndrome (abnormal connective tissue)
Endocarditis
Secondary to dilated heart (the valve opening is stretched larger)
