What does it mean to have mild mitral valve insufficiency, and what should I do?

Nov 08, 2024 Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Tian Hongbo
Introduction
Mild mitral valve insufficiency may be caused by aging, strenuous exercise, dilated cardiomyopathy, rheumatic heart disease, congenital mitral valve malformations, etc., and can be improved through lifestyle adjustments, medication, or surgical treatment. With advancing age, organs gradually undergo degenerative changes, which may lead to mild insufficiency in the structure of the mitral valve.

  Mild mitral valve insufficiency may be caused by aging, strenuous exercise, dilated cardiomyopathy, rheumatic heart disease, congenital mitral valve malformations, and other factors. It can be improved through lifestyle adjustments, medication, or surgical treatment. A detailed explanation is as follows:

  1. Aging: With increasing age, organs gradually undergo degenerative changes. Structures of the mitral valve, including the leaflets, annulus, and chordae tendineae, may age and become fibrotic, leading to mild insufficiency. It is recommended to maintain a healthy lifestyle, including a balanced diet, moderate exercise, smoking cessation, and limiting alcohol consumption, to delay organ aging.

  2. Strenuous Exercise: During intense physical activity, the heart must pump more blood to meet the body's demands, causing a sudden increase in cardiac pressure. This may prevent the mitral valve leaflets from closing completely, resulting in mild insufficiency. It is recommended to choose an appropriate intensity of exercise based on individual physical condition, warm up adequately before exercising, and perform suitable stretching afterward.

  3. Dilated Cardiomyopathy: This condition may be caused by infections or inflammation. It is characterized by weakened myocardial contraction, ventricular chamber enlargement, and consequently annular dilation. Patients may also experience heart failure and arrhythmias. Patients may follow medical advice to take medications such as enalapril maleate tablets, valsartan tablets, or spironolactone tablets to alleviate symptoms.

  4. Rheumatic Heart Disease: This is an immunological disease that can cause thickening, hardening, and deformation of the valve leaflets, preventing them from closing completely and resulting in regurgitation. It is recommended to follow medical advice for treatment with medications such as aspirin tablets, Lixin Pills, or furosemide tablets.

  5. Congenital Mitral Valve Malformation: Resulting from abnormal embryonic development, this condition may involve structural abnormalities of the mitral valve leaflets, annulus, chordae tendineae, or papillary muscles, leading to mitral insufficiency. Mild cases may not require immediate treatment but should undergo regular echocardiographic examinations. If symptoms develop or regurgitation worsens, surgical interventions such as mitral valve repair or mitral valve replacement may be performed under medical guidance.

  If discomfort symptoms occur or cardiac abnormalities are present, it is recommended to seek timely medical attention, identify the underlying cause, and receive appropriate treatment under the guidance of a qualified physician.

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