Mitral Valve Regurgitation: A Patient-Friendly Guide with Dr. Pavan Kumar, the Best Heart Valve Surgeon in Mumbai
When your trusty mitral valve decides to play it a bit loose, it earns the title mitral valve regurgitation. You might hear it called mitral insufficiency or mitral incompetence too. In simple terms, it means your heart's mitral valve isn't closing as snugly as it should, giving some blood the chance to sneak back into your heart.
Now, if things take a turn for the worse, a bit of blood might decide to go on an unexpected journey into your lungs. A small amount of mitral regurgitation is normal, but for some folks, it can be a bit more serious. Mitral valve regurgitation comes in two flavours: acute or chronic. In the acute version, the valve suddenly gets leaky, catching the heart off guard. Symptoms in this case can be pretty intense. In the chronic version, the valve gradually becomes more leaky over time, giving the heart a chance to adapt to the leak. With chronic mitral regurgitation, symptoms can range from mild to more serious.
Causes:
Now, why does this happen? Let's blame it on things like:
- Floppy mitral valve (mitral valve prolapse)
- Rheumatic heart disease from untreated strep infection
- Coronary artery disease or heart attack
- Autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis
- Heart valve infections (endocarditis)
- Birth-related mitral valve issues (congenital)
- Rupture of the support structures of the mitral valve
- Certain medications
- Wonky heart muscle function (cardiomyopathy)
- Trauma
Acute mitral valve regurgitation is more likely to show up after a heart attack or if the tissue supporting the mitral valve decides to go on a little adventure. It can also happen after a sudden injury or a heart valve infection.
Symptoms:
Now, most people with chronic mitral valve regurgitation don't notice anything funky for quite a while. Those with mild or moderate mitral regurgitation might not have any symptoms. But if you do start feeling a bit off, keep an eye out for things like:
- Shortness of breath with a bit of hustle and bustle
- Having a tough time catching your breath when lying down
- Feeling more tired than usual
- Not being as superhero-esque in your exercise routine
- Getting that not-so-friendly reminder of your heartbeat
- Palpitations making a cameo
- Swelling in your legs, belly, and neck veins
- Chest pain (though this one's a bit of a rare guest)
Now, if things go into emergency mode with acute, severe mitral valve regurgitation, you might experience symptoms like:
Shock vibes, like pale skin or rapid breathing Major shortness of breath Heartbeat doing its funky dance
In your journey through mitral valve regurgitation, having the best heart valve surgeon in Mumbai, Dr. Pavan Kumar, by your side is like having a super specialist to guide you. Dr. Pavan Kumar, the best heart valve surgeon in Mumbai, can help you navigate through this journey with his expertise, ensuring your heart's in the right hands.
Call +91-8369757062 for appointments or an expert second opinion on heart valve surgery.
