Everyone knows that the heart is the most important organ that supplies blood to the whole body and ensures its continuous circulation. In medical practice, violations of the mitral valve, which is a bivalve septum between the ventricle and the atrium, are very common. Its main function is to ensure that blood from the left ventricle enters the aorta. Thus, its flow back into the atrium is prevented.
If the mitral valve is unstable, that is, the blood flow is carried out in both directions, we can talk about the presence of such a disease as a defect. At risk are people with rheumatism. Scientists have proved that one attack of rheumatic endocarditis is enough and the mitral valve is deformed in the heart, becomes less elastic, and can even sag. Congenital malformations are also distinguished, but these cases are rare.
Mitral valve disease can be divided into three main types:
- Difficult vice
- Stenosis
- Mitral insufficiency
Mitral insufficiency is considered the easiest form of the disease , since it does not cause serious damage to heart tissue, only the valve loses its functional purpose. Stenosis promotes scarring in the atrium. A complex defect is a serious form of the disease, as it combines the two previous options.
A disease such as mitral valve prolapse is very common. Its essence lies in the sagging of the valves due to their large size. As a rule, this cannot bring adverse effects. Symptomatic manifestations are also absent, prolapse is diagnosed with a general examination. The patient does not need special treatment, but a regular visit to the cardiologist is required, who must monitor the dynamics of changes in the valves in order to prevent possible problems.
Like any disease of the cardiovascular system, a large mitral valve can cause shortness of breath, an accelerated rhythm of the heartbeat, can not do without a periodic sensation of tingling. The most pronounced sign of vice is the distinguished blush that looks unusual against the general background of a white, even cyanotic face. Cyanosis manifests itself on the tip of the nose and ears, and the nail plate also suffers. Often, all of these symptoms can be accompanied by a sharp decrease in pressure, coughing or swelling of the limbs.
Most often, mitral valve treatment is not required, especially if the violation of its activity is congenital, but not acquired. But in cases where such dysfunction can lead to the emergence of new, more dangerous diseases, it is necessary to intervene urgently. Depending on the severity of the disease, the specialist selects the optimal treatment method. In the absence of damage to the valves themselves, you can use the valve reconstruction method, modern medicine makes it possible to carry out such operations without much risk to the patient's life. But with the formation of scar tissue on the cusps, doctors usually recommend placing a prosthesis, that is, replacing the mitral valve with artificial cusps. The new valve may be of mechanical or biological origin. Mechanical has the advantage of long life. As a rule, a biological valve is placed for elderly people (from 70 years old), since it significantly reduces the risk of a blood clot.
If you find the defect in time and fix it properly, then more such problems will not bother you. And to prevent this situation, one should not neglect physical exercises for the development of not only the muscles of the body, but also the growth of the heart muscle.