The mitral valve is a very important element of the human cardiovascular system. In this regard, any deviations in its functioning most negatively affect our health and well-being. We suggest that you learn about the purpose of the mitral valve, as well as about possible violations in its work, their symptoms and consequences. I would also like to note that for any signs of a malfunction of this "detail" of the heart muscle, it is imperative to visit a cardiologist, which will help diagnose a possible disease at an early stage.
Mitral valve function in the human heart muscle
The valve is a leaflet made of special connective tissue and is located on the left side of the human heart. It prevents the backflow of blood flowing into the left atrium from the left ventricle during a constant contraction of the myocardium. When the heart is completely healthy, the valve, passing the necessary amount of blood, closes. If the valves begin to close tightly, then the heart is stretched and hypertrophied, which ultimately leads to disturbances in its work. Most often, diseases such as mitral valve consolidation (or prolapse) and its insufficiency are found in this area. We offer a more detailed discussion of each of these disorders in the work of the heart muscle.
Prolapse
Mitral valve prolapse, resulting from compaction, is quite common. The disease, as a rule, is asymptomatic. However, it happens that it is accompanied by shortness of breath, pain and palpitations of the heart.
There are several factors that increase the risk of prolapse. These include the reasons described below.
- Floor. In men, this disease is detected much more often than in representatives of the beautiful half of humanity.
- Age. The risk of mitral prolapse increases significantly with age.
- Family history. If one of your relatives suffered from a similar disease, then the likelihood of its occurrence also increases.
- Structural abnormalities (congenital or acquired changes).
Mitral insufficiency
There are two forms of mitral valve insufficiency: acute and chronic. The first occurs due to damage to the papillary muscles, surgical operations, ruptures of tendon chords caused by myocardial infarction, infectious endocarditis and various injuries. The chronic form can be the result of rheumatic lesions of the heart muscle, systemic diseases, hereditary or congenital ailments, tumors and other conditions.
The easiest stage of this disease is a mitral valve insufficiency of 1 degree. The main manifestation of the disease is the appearance of noise in the heart. As a rule, patients lead an active life and have no complaints. With mitral insufficiency of the second or third degree, shortness of breath and increased heart rate during physical exertion are added to the noise in the heart . The most dangerous for human life are the 4th and 5th stages, when dystrophic changes in the heart muscle begin to occur, and as a result of circulatory disorders, the functioning of other organs deteriorates.