The dysfunctioning of mitral valve disease can result in mitral valve regurgitation or mitral valve stenosis. There will be the backward flow of blood from ventricles into the atrium or they will be leaky. The condition arises as the mitral valve does not close tightly, or the valve leaflets bulge back to the atrium when there is a contraction of the heart, thickening or stiffening of mitral valve resulting in narrowing of the valve.[1] Medicines can only bring symptomatic treatment for mitral valve disease, the valves need to be repaired or replaced for long-term health benefits.
Risk Factors For Mitral Valve Disease
Here we list you the risk factors for mitral valve disease:
Aging. Like parts of the automobiles, even the human body needs repair and healing. The older age mitral valve loses its contraction and relaxation ability. Mitral valve disease can happen to anyone irrespective of age, but it is most common in older age people. Mitral valve disease can be most commonly seen in women compared to men. Calcium deposition also increases with age and often goes unnoticed until the age of 70 or more.[2] The calcium deposits on the valve thicken the valve flaps narrowing the space for flow of blood.
Infections. Endocarditis is an infection in your heart chambers (atria and ventricles) and valves. This infection can have an effect on the functioning of the heart and also the impairment of the mitral valve resulting in an impaired flow of blood.
If the patient had Rheumatic fever or scarlet fever in childhood, there are chances that the mitral valve can thicken or fuse together.[3] Rheumatic fever is caused by streptococcus bacteria. Rheumatic fever is an inflammatory autoimmune disease, if left untreated it can result in chronic heart valve damage. These people are at the most common risk factor for mitral valve stenosis.
Heart Diseases. A previous heart attack, heart failure, and arrhythmia (irregular heartbeat) can risk you to have mitral valve disease. The common heart ailments such as high blood pressure and high cholesterol affect the functioning of the heart.
Aortic valvular disease (especially aortic regurgitation), dilated cardiomyopathy, ischaemic heart disease (IHD) and myocardial infarction can result in mitral valve disease.[4]
There will be dilation of the left ventricle altering the pumping of the blood resulting in mitral regurgitation. All the factors which predispose the individuals to heart disease can, in turn, be the risk factor for mitral valve disease.
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is a heart disease condition wherein the heart disease (myocardium) becomes abnormally thick. The thickened heart muscles make it difficult for the heart to pump blood.[5]
Congenital Heart Diseases. Babies are congenitally born with narrow mitral valve disease.
Deposition Of Calcium. Mitral valve stenosis results because of the buildup of calcium on your mitral valve. Aging is also a factor for deposition of calcium.
Radiotherapy. People undergoing radiation therapy for cancer treatment on chest
Genetics. There are studies which support the hereditary link to mitral valve disease.
The other diseases which are responsible for mitral valve disease are:
- Autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis can result in mitral valve disease.
- Smoking can also predispose the individuals to valvular damage.
- Rupture of the chordae tendineae.
- Connective tissue disorders such as Systemic Lupus erythematosus.[6]
People who are at risk of developing mitral valve disease should immediately seek medical attention. The untreated mitral valve disease can result in the formation of blood clots (resulting in heart attack and stroke), atrial fibrillation, pulmonary hypertension, enlargement of heart and heart and lung congestion.
Conclusion
The most common risk factors for mitral valve disease are age, deposition of calcium, Rheumatic fever or scarlet fever, endocarditis, heart diseases, etc. People at risk should follow a healthy lifestyle and seek medical attention. Depending upon the health condition the doctor may repair or replace the valve and advise medications for symptoms.
- https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/mitral-valve-disease/symptoms-causes/syc-20355107
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6391621/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5810582/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2861980/
- https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hypertrophic-cardiomyopathy/symptoms-causes/syc-20350198
- https://www.cdc.gov/heartdisease/valvular_disease.htm
Also Read:
