In mitral valve disease, the mitral valve, which is located between your left heart chambers doesn’t work correctly. The two main types of mitral valve disease are:

• Mitral valve regurgitation
• Mitral valve stenosis

Mitral valve disease has many causes. Some forms of mitral valve disease can be present at birth. Mitral valve stenosis is often caused by rheumatic fever, a complication of a strep infection that can affect the heart.

Other factors can increase the risk of developing mitral valve disease, such as:

• Older age
• History of certain infections that can affect the heart
• History of certain forms of heart disease or heart attack
• History of use of certain drugs
• Heart conditions present at birth (congenital heart disease)
• Radiation to the chest

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Signs & Symptoms

Some people with mitral valve disease might not experience symptoms for many years. Others may experience:

• Abnormal heart sound (heart murmur) heard through a stethoscope
• Fatigue
• Shortness of breath, particularly when you have been very active or when you lie down
• Irregular heartbeat

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Diagnosis

A Deborah Heart and Lung Center physician may order any of these tests to diagnose mitral valve disease:

• Echocardiography
• Electrocardiogram (ECG)
• Chest X-ray
• Cardiac MRI
• Exercise tests or stress tests
• Cardiac catheterization