Health's Book

Definition

Acute mitral regurgitation is a disorder in which the heart's mitral valve suddenly does not close properly, causing blood to flow backward (leak) into the upper heart chamber when the left lower heart chamber contracts.

See also: Chronic mitral regurgitation

Symptoms

• Chest pain -- unrelated to coronary artery disease or a heart attack
• Cough
• Rapid breathing
• Shortness of breath that increases when lying flat (orthopnea)
• Sensation of feeling the heart beat (palpitations)

Note: Symptoms may start suddenly.