Mitral Valve Regurgitation: When the Heart Valve Leaks and How It’s Managed

March 4, 2026

Mitral Valve Regurgitation: When the Heart Valve Leaks and How It’s Managed

Verified By
KIMS-SUNSHINE
Specialist,
04 March, 2026

Mitral Valve Regurgitation: When the Heart Valve Leaks and How It’s Managed

The heart has four chambers through which blood flows sequentially, before exiting and entering systemic circulation. For this process to continue without any problem, blood needs to flow in one particular direction. Valves are present for this express purpose- to prevent backflow or regurgitation of blood. When the mitral valve on the left side of the heart gets affected, it can cause blood to flow backwards and force the heart to work way harder than usual. Opting for treatment from the best cardiology hospital in Hyderabad is hence necessary, to ensure there are no further complications.

Mitral Valve Regurgitation Symptoms

A leaky heart valve can be problematic- the valve itself may have not formed properly, or it may have gotten infected. At times, the valve is fine, but the surrounding tissue is not structurally sound, which means the valve also cannot work normally.

Initially, the affected valve itself won’t cause issues, but as the regurgitation or backflow gets worse, heart function can get affected. It can cause a bunch of symptoms, some of which have been listed below-

Shortness of breath is very common.
You may have chest pain and cough too.
You may notice swelling or edema in the extremities due to fluid retention.
You may feel overly tired.
You may deal with heart palpitations too.

Causes of Mitral Valve Regurgitation

Mitral valve regurgitation can be primary- where the valve itself is not working properly due to some structural issue, or secondary- where another underlying cause is the reason for the valve to malfunction, like cardiomyopathy for example.

Some of the most well known causes for primary mitral valve regurgitation include mitral valve prolapse, infections, traumatic injury to the heart, rheumatic heart disease etc.

Causes for secondary mitral valve regurgitation include different types of cardiomyopathy- ischemic, dilated or hypertrophic obstructive, respectively.

Diagnosis of Mitral Valve Regurgitation

A physical exam is first performed- where the doctor will check your vital signs, listen to your heart and check for a heart murmur with a stethoscope and also check for edema in your extremities.

The specialised tests recommended to diagnose this condition include-

A transthoracic echocardiogram (TTE) can be used to check for structural abnormalities and diagnose this condition.
A transesophageal echocardiogram (TEE) is when a scope is inserted via the food pipe and into your chest cavity- to get a closer look at the valves of the heart.
A cardiac CT scan
An exercise stress test- where they ask you to run or jog on a treadmill or use a stationary cycle to check for changes in heart rate and any other symptoms.
A cardiac MRI in some cases.
A coronary angiogram- where a catheter is threaded through to the heart to check blood flow.

Treatment of Mitral Valve Regurgitation

Treatment for valve leakage depends on the type of mitral valve regurgitation you have- primary or secondary and approaches will also vary if you have acute vs. chronic mitral regurgitation. Surgery is normally recommended and the two options are mitral valve repair and mitral valve replacement respectively.

Medications are also given to prevent heart failure or manage atrial fibrillation, along with the use of LVAD insertion or palliative care too.

A mitral valve repair is when the leaflets are surgically repaired. It can be done with open heart surgery, minimally invasive heart surgery or mitral transcatheter edge-to-edge repair (TEER) where a clip inserted helps the valve leaflets close better.

Mitral valve replacement is done if the valve is severely infected or when repair is not possible. A bioprosthetic or mechanical valve is surgically inserted, after removal of the older valve tissue. This approach uses open heart surgery. The minimally invasive option is transcatheter mitral valve replacement (TMVR).

Conclusion

Mitral valve regurgitation is a common heart condition that affects millions of individuals in the country. When not diagnosed and treated in a timely fashion, it can lead to complications like stroke, pulmonary hypertension or a heart attack in severe cases. If you suffer from mitral valve regurgitation or have symptoms like severe breathlessness and chest pain, contact us at KIMS Sunshine today- as we are the best cardiology hospital in Hyderabad.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is mitral valve regurgitation?

Mitral valve regurgitation is a heart condition in which the mitral valve does not close properly, allowing blood to leak backward from the left ventricle into the left atrium during contraction. This backward flow reduces efficient blood circulation and forces the heart to work harder to maintain normal blood flow.

What causes a leaky mitral valve?

A leaky mitral valve can result from mitral valve prolapse, damage from a heart attack, infections such as endocarditis, rheumatic heart disease, or degeneration of the valve with age. Structural problems in the valve leaflets, supporting chords, or surrounding heart muscle can also lead to regurgitation.

Can mild mitral regurgitation be monitored?

Mild mitral regurgitation can often be monitored without immediate surgery. Doctors track the condition through regular checkups and imaging tests such as echocardiography to evaluate valve function and heart size. Monitoring helps detect changes in severity and determine the right time for treatment if progression occurs.

What is the difference between valve repair and replacement?

Valve repair involves correcting the existing mitral valve to restore proper closure and function. Replacement involves removing the damaged valve and inserting a mechanical or biological prosthetic valve. Repair preserves natural valve tissue and heart function, while replacement is used when the valve is severely damaged.

Can mitral regurgitation cause heart failure?

Severe mitral regurgitation can lead to heart failure if left untreated. Continuous backward blood flow increases pressure in the left atrium and lungs, forcing the heart to work harder. Over time, this strain can weaken the heart muscle and reduce its ability to pump blood effectively.