Mitral valve regurgitation

I have mitral valve regurgitation. I get really fatigued and short of breath all the time now. I also have palpitations, tachycardia, bradycardia. I do not have edema. My fatigue and palpitations have gotten much worse over the last 6 months. My echo showed much more back flow than the last, 4 years ago. I was told that there is such a strong fast leaking of blood that it is making my septum balloon into the other ventricle. Also that I have back flow into my aorta. I am only 23, and I am not overweight. Would you consider my symptoms to be severe? Also, with that much blood flowing backwards, is it more likely that I will have to replace the valve or is there a chance I could have it repaired? Thank you for your time.
Chelsea

[ed34]

I think there are a few possible options but really only your cardiologist can recommend the best one for you because he/she knows the full extent of the problem. Usually the first aim is to repair a valve if possible. This obviously depends on the amount of damage, but a high proportion are successfully repaired. If a valve cannot be repaired there is the option of a replacement valve. I believe bovine or swine tissue are options and these valves usually last anywhere between 10-20 years. So, due to your age, I would think they would recommend a mechanical valve which lasts much longer but requires medication to keep it clear.
There are two forms of procedure for valve replacement. First is the most common which is open heart surgery. Second is using angioplasty techniques where a collapsed valve is passed through your arteries to the correct area, then a expanded in place, squashing your old valve into the heart wall out of the way. I'm not sure if this is purely for tissue valves or whether mechanical valves can be done this way. I do know this less invasive procedure is used much more in Europe and has been very successful. Obviously if you valve is to be repaired, then open heart surgery is required. If I was in this position, I would want a high percentage likely success rate before accepting it. I wouldn't want to go through major surgery and recovery for nothing, or ending up even worse. I had this with a triple bypass that only lasted 3 months. The disappointment of such things not working can hit you hard both mentally and physically. There are others on here with a lot more knowledge on valves and I am sure they will post something soon :)

Take care

[kenkeith]

I have had moderate to severe mitral valve regurgitation for many years and no sympyoms.  I'm told to watch for shortness of breath and fatigue as that would be cause for treatment. Ed has provided good information as usual and has given the skinny on procedural intervention, etc.

I see another possible concern and that is the ballooning of the septum into the right chamber when the heart pumps as stated in your post .  This can be a serious condition as there is a risk of rupture of a septum aneurysm (thin septum wall).

Abnormal pressure of the left ventricle is usually caused by mitral valve stenosis, MVR increases the upper left chamber and increases a risk of aneursym rupture of the septum that separates the upper left and right lower chambers.

Nevertheless, there are pressures within the ventricles and that may be something of interest your doctor may want to watch. An aneurysm often is congentital and can be asymptomatic.  Thanks for sharing.