Slightly leaky heart valves
Ask the doctor
A recent echocardiogram showed that I have mild leakage from my mitral and tricuspid valves. I feel fine, but should I limit my activity in any way based on this finding? Will I need any follow-up testing going forward? I just turned 74.These two valves control blood flow from the upper chambers of the heart (atria) to the lower chambers (ventricles). The mitral valve is on the left side of the heart; the tricuspid is on the right. Each valve has flaps of tissue called leaflets that open and then close tightly, in a perfectly timed sequence aligned with your heartbeat, to prevent blood from going in the wrong direction. The tricuspid valve has three leaflets, while the mitral valve has two. But over time, the leaflets can weaken and stretch, preventing a tight seal. As a result, a small amount of blood may leak backwards into the atria (see illustration).
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