Why Your Leaky Mitral Valve May Need to Be Fixed

Mitral regurgitation causes blood to back up in the cardiovascular system. Fixing the valve can prevent or reverse heart failure or other serious complications

By
estaff
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© Lin Shao-hua | Getty Images When the leaflets of the mitral valve fail to close tightly, blood flows backwards, making the heart work harder to meet the body’s needs for oxygenated blood. Over time, this can lead to serious problems in the heart or the lungs.

The heart has four valves that help control the direction of blood flow. One of these is the mitral valve, which sits between the left atrium and left ventricle. Oxygenated blood flows from the lungs into the left atrium. When the left atrium contracts, the mitral valve opens, directing blood into the left ventricle. When the left atrium relaxes, the mitral valve closes. 

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