what is the prognosis (treatment) for two leaking heart valves one slight the other bad on mitral valve. b?

Question

reason for mitral leak not known but has occurred within last 18 months. other leak probably congenital as was first diagnosed 25 years ago..

Answer 1

the disease is mitral regurgitation, it can be acute or chronic. Regurgitation (leaking from insufficient valve closure) is caused by diseases that weaken or damage the valve or its supporting structures. Inadequate closure of the mitral valve causes blood to flow back to the left atrium. The blood flow to the rest of the body is decreased as a result and the heart may pump harder to try to compensate.

Hospitalization may be required for diagnosis and treatment of severe symptoms. The goal of treatment is to control the symptoms. Emergency surgery may be necessary if acute regurgitation is severe, usually resulting from endocarditis (valve infection), heart attack, or ruptured cordae (one of the supporting structures of the mitral valve).

Antibiotics may be prescribed if there is a bacterial infection. Anti-arrhythmics (drugs that regulate the heart rhythm) may be needed to control irregular rhythms. Vasodilators (drugs that dilate the blood vessels) reduce the workload of the heart. Digitalis may be used to strengthen the heartbeat and diuretics (water pills) to remove excess fluid in the lungs.

Anticoagulants or antiplatelet medications (blood thinners) may be used to prevent clot formation if atrial fibrillation is present, because atrial fibrillation increases the chances of clot formation. However, this treatment is primarily used for chronic mitral regurgitation.

In emergency situations when blood pressure cannot be maintained, devices such as the intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) reduce backflow by enhancing forward blood flow into the aorta.

Answer 2

Has your doctor talked about valve replacement? The mitral valve is more serious. Do you know what your ejection fraction is? If it is over 25% you are a candidate for surgery, and it sounds like that would be your best option. I am not sure if your doctor would recommend doing both valves. You REALLY need to talk frankly with your doctor.