Heart Valve Problems: Mitral Insufficiency
Heart Valve Problems: Mitral Insufficiency
Mitral insufficiency means your mitral valve has problems closing. This lets blood leak back through the valve. A small amount of leaking blood rarely leads to problems. But severe cases can cause damage to the heart as the leaking of blood causes the blood to have to be pumped twice.
Closed mitral valve with insufficiency (viewed from above). |
Cross section of heart showing mitral valve insufficiency. |
Possible causes of mitral insufficiency
Causes may include:
Heart damage from rheumatic fever or other disease
Aging
Mitral valve prolapse
Damage after a heart attack
Treating mitral insufficiency
Medicines may be prescribed. These help the heart work better. In severe cases, heart valve surgery may be needed to repair or replace the valve.
Updated:  
August 07, 2018
Reviewed By:  
Fetterman, Anne, RN, BSN,Gandelman, Glenn, MD, MPH,Images reviewed by StayWell medical illustration team.