Mitral valve regurgitation mitral insufficiency happens when your heart's mitral valve doesn't close tightly, which

ch allows blood to flow backward in your heart. When the mitral valve doesn't work properly, blood can't move through your heart or to the rest of your body as efficiently, making you feel tired or out of breath. Mitral valve regurgitation is also called mitral insufficiency or mitral incompetence. (Mayo Clinic, 2011)

Treatment of mitral valve regurgitation depends on how severe your condition is, whether it's getting worse, and signs and symptoms. For mild cases, treatment may not be necessary. You may need heart surgery to repair or replace the valve for more-severe cases. Left untreated, severe mitral valve regurgitation can cause heart failure or serious heart rhythm problems (arrhythmias). (Mayo Clinic, 2011)

Multiple studies from Mayo Clinic and other institutions have demonstrated the considerable decrease in operative risk recently and the excellent outcome of surgery performed early. .( University of Virginia Health System, 2010)

Recent research established the long-term benefits of performing valve repair before symptom onset and underscored the importance of proactive management and early surgical intervention. The risk of surgery, although very low, is a concern that leads to careful evaluation of the risk and benefit in each person affected by Mitral valve regurgitation.( University of Virginia Health System, 2010)