Mitral Regurgitation

[Cheryl1019]

Hi!  I was told that I have a mild mitral regurgitation through an echocardiogram.  I had been diagnosed to have MVP since 1987 and for so many years, I never had a problem with it.  Until recently, that I have been feeling a lot of chest pains, shortness of breath and fatigue.  I went to see a cardiologist and she heard a heart murmur and ordered an echocardiogram.  I was in the hospital in April of this year for hypertension and since then, I was taking Metoprolol (50 mg) once a day.  Now, the echo tech told me that I have a mild leak on my valve.  Is it dangerous?  Do I need to undergo a surgery for this problem with all these symptoms?

[Momto3]

Helloooo and welcome to the Heart Community!  

Valvular regurgitation is generally graded 1-4, with 1 being trivial, 2 mild, 3 moderate and 4 severe.  Surgical intervention usually becomes necessary when the patient has severe regurgitation AND/OR when the ejection fraction drops and there are symptoms associated with heart failure.  

Mild MR is usually followed with periodic echocardiograms, but you don't have to worry about surgery.  I've had MVP/MR since I was about 20 (I'm 50 now) and so far, it remains OK.  What does your doctor say about followups?  About the shortness of breath, pains and fatigue?  The fatigue COULD BE from the beta blocker.  Some people find that it makes them feel tired and sluggish.

[yar1950]

Hi Cheryl
                 I had a echocardiogram and was told that I have a leaky valve, they said this is of no consequence and are not worried about it. They don't treat it and would discharge me if that was their only finding.