Which is worse ? And what causes it? I was told I had mitro valve prolapse but I m symptoms had worsen and so I saw a cardiologist again today and they said I have mitro valve regeritation.
MItral vale prolapse is the problem that is causing the regurgitation. Regurgitation is backward flow of blood. Prolapse is a situation where an anatomical part has slipped out of its normal position. When a heart valve is prolapsed it doesn't close completely, and blood leaks backwards when the heart beats.
Mitral valve regurgitation — also called mitral regurgitation, mitral insufficiency or mitral incompetence — is a condition in which your heart's mitral valve doesn't close tightly, allowing blood to flow backward in your heart. As a result, blood can't move through your heart or to the rest of your body as efficiently, making you feel tired or out of breath. The mitral valve controls blood flow between the upper and lower chambers of the left side of the heart. The upper chamber is called the left atrium. The lower chamber is called the left ventricle.The mitral valve allows blood to flow from the left atrium into the left ventricle, but not back the other way. The heart also has a right atrium and ventricle, separated by the tricuspid valve. With each heartbeat, the atria contract and push blood into the ventricles. The flaps of the mitral and tricuspid valves open to let blood through. Then, the ventricles contract to pump the blood out of the heart. When the ventricles contract, the flaps of the mitral and tricuspid valves close. They form a tight seal that prevents blood from flowing back into the atria. Mitral valve prolapse (MVP) is a condition in which the heart’s mitral valve doesn’t work well. The flaps of the valve are “floppy” and may not close tightly. These flaps normally help seal or open the valve. From what i have read neither is better or worse and may require surgery to repair or replace the Mitral valve.
Firstly both conditions are not necessarily serious. Prolapse is the phenomenon of one or both mitral leafets bending slightly into the left atrium when the heart contracts. Normally when the leaflets close they dont clise straight but form a slight tent shape facing towards the LV. With prolapse the leaflet bends beyond the imaginary straight line of the valve annulus. Regurgitation is simply back flow through a valve when closed - all valves function as one way check valves to ensure one way flow through the heart. Its completely normal to have a small amouny of regurgitation at all valves except the aortic valve. Mitral regurgitation typically worsens with prolapse because the valve isnt closing properly. Usually prolapse and mitral regurgitation are not all that serious and only require periodic monitoring. Consult your DR if you suddenly develoop symptoms like chest pain or breathlessness. These can indicate the valve is degenerating further and may require medical treatment.
