Mitral Regurgitation

Mitral regurgitation, also called mitral insufficiency, is a condition in which blood flows backwards through the mitral valve and back into the left atrium as a result of the valve not closing all the way. Normally, blood flows from the left atrium through the mitral valve and into the left ventricle. When mitral regurgitation goes untreated, the left ventricle has to work harder to provide the body with enough blood, which can lead to heart failure.