Mitral valve problems are common, and many people first hear about heart mitral valve repair or replacement when a doctor finds a leaky valve, called mitral regurgitation, on an exam or scan.
The mitral valve controls blood flow between the left atrium and left ventricle; when it leaks, blood flows backward and the heart has to work harder. Doctors may recommend mitral valve surgery to stop this backward flow and protect heart function over the long term.
