There are four types of heart valve regurgitation:

• Mitral valve regurgitation is when the mitral valve doesn’t close tightly so the blood flows back to the heart.
• Aortic valve regurgitation may occur due to congenital abnormalities or an infection of the heart valve.
• Pulmonary valve regurgitation is rare and caused by high pulmonary pressure.
• Tricuspid valve regurgitation is found frequently when the right ventricle is enlarged.

• Mitral valve regurgitation may be caused by:
  • Heart valve prolapses into the left atrium
  • Enlarged left ventricle
  • Infection of the valve
  • Rheumatic heart disease
• Aortic valve regurgitation may be caused by:
  • Heart valve has only two leaflets instead of three
  • Hypertension
  • Infection of the heart valve
  • Marfan syndrome
  • Rheumatic heart disease
• Pulmonary valve regurgitation may be caused by:
  • High pulmonary pressure
  • Heart surgery in children
• Tricuspid valve regurgitation may be caused by:
  • High pulmonary pressure
  • Pulmonary edema

Heart valve regurgitation can be mild or severe and mild cases may not cause any symptoms. Severe heart valve regurgitation may cause the following symptoms:

• Feeling tired after normal activities
• Chest pain, heart palpitations, swelling in the legs
• Arrhythmia
• Lightheadedness, loss of consciousness
• Chest tightness, like with pulmonary edema, and unable to lie flat

• Patient’s medical history
• Physical examination and cardiac assessment with electrocardiogram (EKG) and echocardiogram (echo) to check the condition of the heart valve.

• Avoiding foods high in salt and sodium.
• Pacemaker implantation if the left ventricle isn’t working.
• Medication to treat pulmonary edema, vasodilators for aortic valve regurgitation.
• Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI)
• Heart valve replacement surgery

• Blood clots that can travel to the lungs or brain
• Pulmonary edema
• Cardiomegaly because the heart has to work harder than normal
• Arrhythmia
• Stroke
• Heart failure
• Sudden death

• Avoid smoking and drinking alcohol.
• Exercise regularly, but at an appropriate intensity for your health.
• Maintain a normal body weight.
• Eat nutritious meals and avoid foods high in sugar, fat, and sodium.
• Undergo regular health check-ups and keep all doctor appointments.
• If you experience chest pain or tightness or any other cardiac symptoms, see your doctor immediately.