The mitral valve is a very important element of the human cardiovascular system. In this regard, any deviations in its functioning in the most negative way affect our he alth and well-being. We offer you to learn about the appointment of the mitral valve, as well as possible violations in its work, their symptoms and consequences. I would also like to note that with any signs of a violation of the work of this “detail” of the heart muscle, it is imperative to visit a cardiologist, which will help to diagnose a possible disease at an early stage.
The function of the mitral valve in the work of the human heart muscle
The valve is a flap of special connective tissue and is located on the left side of the human heart. It prevents the reverse flow of blood entering the left atrium from the left ventricle during a constant contraction of the myocardium. When the heart is completely he althy, the valve closes to allow the necessary amount of blood to pass through. If the sashesbegin to close loosely, the heart stretches and hypertrophies, which ultimately leads to disturbances in its work. The most common diseases in this area are mitral valve thickening (or prolapse) and its insufficiency. We propose to dwell in more detail on each of these disorders in the work of the heart muscle.
Prolapse
Mitral valve prolapse due to hardening is quite common. The disease is usually asymptomatic. However, it happens that it is accompanied by shortness of breath, pain and palpitation of the heart.
There are several factors that increase the risk of prolapse. These include the reasons below.
- Gender. In men, this disease is found much more often than in the representatives of the beautiful half of humanity.
- Age. The risk of developing mitral prolapse increases significantly with age.
- Family history. If someone from your family suffered from a similar disease, then the likelihood of its occurrence increases in you.
- Structural anomalies (congenital or acquired).
Mitral regurgitation
There are two forms of mitral valve insufficiency: acute and chronic. The first occurs as a result of damage to papillary muscles, surgical operations, ruptures of tendon chords caused by myocardial infarction, infective endocarditis and various injuries. The chronic form may be the result of rheumaticheart muscle lesions, systemic diseases, hereditary or congenital ailments, tumors and other conditions.
The easiest stage of this disease is mitral valve insufficiency of the 1st degree. The main manifestation of the disease is the appearance of heart murmurs. 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 murmurs 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 due to circulatory disorders, the functioning of other organs worsens.
