Mitral Valve Regurgitation: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment
Medically reviewed by Harsha Moole, MD, Internal Medicine. Last reviewed: October 23, 2026.
What kind of doctor treats Mitral Valve Regurgitation?
A cardiologist, a heart doctor, treats mitral valve regurgitation. A heart surgeon repairs or replaces the valve when that is needed. A primary care doctor often helps find the problem and follows your health over time. A direct primary care or concierge doctor can be a first stop for an evaluation and can refer you to a specialist when needed.
What is mitral valve regurgitation?
Mitral valve regurgitation is a disorder in which the mitral valve on the left side of the heart does not close properly. Regurgitation means leaking from a valve that does not close all the way. It is also called mitral regurgitation or mitral valve insufficiency.
The mitral valve sits between the upper left chamber of the heart, the left atrium, and the lower left chamber, the left ventricle. When it does not close all the way, blood flows backward into the left atrium as the ventricle contracts. This cuts down the amount of blood that flows to the rest of the body. The heart may need to pump harder, which may lead to congestive heart failure.
Mitral regurgitation may begin suddenly, often after a heart attack. If it does not go away, it becomes long-term.
Symptoms
There are often no symptoms. When symptoms occur, they often develop slowly and may include:
- Fatigue, exhaustion, and lightheadedness.
- Palpitations, the feeling of your heart beating, or a rapid heartbeat.
- Shortness of breath that increases with activity or when lying down.
Symptoms may begin suddenly if a heart attack damages the muscles around the valve, the cords that attach the muscle to the valve break, or an infection destroys part of the valve.
Causes and who gets it
Many diseases or problems can weaken or damage the valve or the heart tissue around it. You are at risk if you have:
- Coronary heart disease and high blood pressure.
- An enlarged left ventricle.
- An infection of the heart valves.
- Mitral valve prolapse, in which the valve flaps bulge back into the left atrium.
- Rare conditions, such as untreated syphilis or Marfan syndrome.
- Rheumatic heart disease, a complication of untreated strep throat that is becoming less common.
How doctors diagnose it
The doctor listens to your heart and lungs. The doctor may hear a distinctive heart murmur or an extra heart sound.
Tests that look at the valve and how it works include an echocardiogram, an ultrasound of the heart, a CT scan of the heart, and an MRI. A cardiac catheterization may be done if heart function becomes worse. It uses a catheter, a thin tube.
Treatment
Treatment depends on your symptoms, the condition that caused the leak, how well the heart is working, and whether the heart has become enlarged. People with high blood pressure or a weakened heart muscle may be given medicines to reduce the strain on the heart and ease symptoms. When symptoms get worse, doctors may prescribe:
- Beta-blockers, ACE inhibitors, or calcium channel blockers, which are heart and blood pressure medicines.
- Blood thinners to help prevent blood clots in people with atrial fibrillation, an irregular heartbeat.
- Medicines that help control abnormal heartbeats.
- Water pills (diuretics) to remove extra fluid in the lungs.
Visit your doctor regularly to track your symptoms and heart function.
You may need surgery to repair or replace the valve if heart function is poor, the heart becomes enlarged, or symptoms get worse. Catheter-based techniques that place clips or replace the mitral valve are increasingly used for some selected patients.
Heart valve repair can improve symptoms, but sometimes problems return. Complications of repair can include valve damage or leakage, blood vessel injury, and stroke. Mechanical replacement valves require blood-thinning medicines for the rest of your life.
When to see a doctor
Contact your doctor if symptoms get worse or do not improve with treatment. If you are being treated for this condition, also contact your doctor if you have chills, fever, a general ill feeling, headache, or muscle aches.
Call 911 if chest pain or discomfort lasts two minutes or more, if you have serious trouble breathing, if you faint, or if someone is hard to wake up.
How a direct primary care or concierge doctor fits in
A direct primary care doctor charges a flat monthly fee instead of billing insurance, while a concierge doctor usually charges more and often works alongside insurance. Either can do a first evaluation, refer you to a cardiologist, and track your symptoms over time with regular visits.
Common questions
Is mitral valve regurgitation serious?
It can be, but it depends. The outcome varies, and most of the time the condition is mild, so no therapy or restriction is needed. Problems that may develop include abnormal heart rhythms, clots, and heart failure.
Will I need surgery for mitral valve regurgitation?
Not always. Surgery to repair or replace the valve may be needed if heart function is poor, the heart becomes enlarged, or symptoms get worse. Medicine eases symptoms but cannot fix a leak. A bad leak may need repair or replacement.
Is mitral valve prolapse the same as mitral valve regurgitation?
No. In prolapse, the valve flaps bulge back into the upper heart chamber. Prolapse does not always cause backflow. When blood does flow backward, it is called regurgitation.
How can I lower my risk of a heart valve infection?
People with abnormal or damaged heart valves are at risk for an infection called endocarditis. Avoid unclean injections, and treat strep infections quickly. Tell your doctor and dentist about any heart valve disease before treatment.
Sources
- MedlinePlus - Mitral valve regurgitation: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia
- National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute - Heart Valve Diseases: Types
- National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute - Heart Valve Diseases: Treatment
Medical Disclaimer
This content is for general educational and informational purposes only and is not medical advice. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and reading it does not create a doctor-patient relationship. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions about a medical condition, and never disregard or delay seeking professional advice because of something you read here. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call 911 (or your local emergency number) immediately.
