Mitral Valve Regurgitation: When To Call A Doctor

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When to Call a Doctor

Call 911 or other emergency services immediately if you or a person you are with has:

• Symptoms of a heart attack, including severe chest pain.
• Symptoms of stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA).
• Loss of consciousness (syncope).
• Difficulty breathing.

Call a doctor immediately if you have:

• Symptoms of heart failure, such as shortness of breath, fatigue, and swelling in the legs and feet.
• Mitral valve regurgitation (MR) and are having symptoms of infection such as fever with no other obvious cause. Be alert for signs of infection if you have recently have had any dental, diagnostic, or surgical procedure.
• Irregular heartbeats.
• Fainting episodes.
• Palpitations.
• Shortness of breath.
• Coughing up blood.
• A decreased ability to exercise at your usual level.
• Excessive fatigue (without other explanation).

Watchful waiting

Watchful waiting is a wait-and-see approach. If you do not have symptoms of MR, your doctor will still want to see you every 6 to 12 months, or as soon as you have symptoms for the first time. If your doctor has talked with you about what to do if you have symptoms, follow your doctor's instructions. Contact your doctor if your symptoms get worse.

Who to see

Health professionals who can evaluate symptoms that may be related to mitral valve regurgitation include:

• Family medicine doctors.
• Internists.
• Nurse practitioners.
• Physician assistants.
• Cardiologists.

They frequently can also order the tests needed for further evaluation of symptoms.

Last updated:	March 27, 2008
Author:	Robin Parks, MS
Reviewed By:	E. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine, Stephen Fort, MD, MRCP, FRCPC - Interventional Cardiology
Editors:	Kathleen M. Ariss, MS, Pat Truman, MATC