Mitral and tricuspid valve regurgitation

My 17year old daughter's echocardiogram shows trace to mild mitral valve regurgitation and mild to moderate tricuspid valve regurgitation with no bacterial vegetation. Her cardiologist recommends a steady exercise and good diet. She is extremely low in protein, iron, and B12. The Schilling test is negative. What is the risk of just monitoring the condition short term and long term? She has had a heart murmur since birth. She has recently had 2 echocardiograms, ekg and stress test.

[CCF CARDIO MD - DLB]

Dear Sharon

She has had a lot of tests for someone so young. The mild leakage of the valves are probably of no significance, especially if the valves themselves are not damaged. It would be worthwhile for her doctor to listen to her heart during her check-ups and make sure her murmur is not getting louder and to make sure she does not develop any symptoms of valve leakage.

I hope this has been useful. I wish you the best of luck. Feel free to write back.

Information provided here is for general purposes only. Specific questions should be addressed to your own doctor. If you would like to make an appointment at the Cleveland Clinic Heart Center, please call 1-800-CCF-CARE or inquire online by using the Heart Center website at www.ccf.org/heartcenter. The Heart Center website contains a directory of the cardiology staff that can be used to select the physician best suited to address your cardiac problem.