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    Back and Neck Care

    Heart Valve Problems: Mitral Insufficiency

    Mitral insufficiency means your mitral valve has problems closing. This lets blood leak back through the valve.

    The heart has 4 valves. These valves help blood flow through the heart and out to the body by promoting forward flow and preventing back flow. The mitral valve lies between the 2 chambers of the heart on the left side. These 2 chambers are the left atrium and left ventricle. When the valve is open, it allows blood to flow from your lungs and left atrium to your left ventricle. When the left ventricle contracts to pump blood into your body, the mitral valve closes to prevent blood from leaking backward.

    With mitral insufficiency, a small amount of leaking blood rarely leads to problems. But if the leaking is severe, it can cause damage to and enlargement of the heart. That's because the leaking of blood means the blood has to be pumped twice.

    Top view of closed mitral valve with insufficiency.
    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 infections or diseases

    • 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.

    Online Medical Reviewer: Robyn Zercher FNP
    Online Medical Reviewer: Ronald Karlin MD
    Online Medical Reviewer: Stacey Wojcik MBA BSN RN
    Date Last Reviewed: 3/1/2024
    © 2000-2024 The StayWell Company, LLC. All rights reserved. This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical care. Always follow your healthcare professional's instructions.
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    Southern New Mexico
    Surgery Center

    2301 Indian Wells Rd. Suite B
    Alamogordo, NM 88310
    www.snmsc.org

    Phone: 575.437.0890
    Fax: 575.437.0905
    Email: info@snmsc.org

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