Many people wonder about mitral valve prolapse or obstruction and how to treat it. In this article, we will provide a simplified explanation about this disease and its impact on health. The mitral valve is one of the four valves in the heart, located between the left atrium and the left ventricle. Its function is to allow oxygen-rich blood to pass from the lungs through the atrium to the left ventricle, and then pump it into the aorta for distribution throughout the body.
The mitral valve is bicuspid, unlike other valves that have three cusps, which makes it more susceptible to pathology. Valve prolapse is a condition in which part of the valve prolapses out of its normal position during closure, causing blood to leak back from the left ventricle into the left atrium. Over time, this leakage may cause blood to back up into the lungs, leading to fluid buildup in the lungs and difficulty breathing.
There is no definitive cure for mitral valve obstruction, but the condition is monitored regularly to monitor the severity of the blood leak. If the leak gets worse, treatment may be surgical, either by valve restoration or replacement.
