Mitral Valve
The echocardiogram showed that I had something wrong with the mitral valve in my heart. It seemed that the valve was not closing properly and blood flowing from the Left Atrium to the Left Ventricle was being allowed to partially flow in reverse. As I understand it this is the freshly oxygenated blood coming back from my lungs and ready to be pumped to the rest of the body. Instead it is partially being allowed to flow backward into my lungs. That of course would explain why I was short of breath. This condition is called “Mitral Valve Prolapse” and mine included “Severe Regurgitation” – i.e. lots of backwash.
As a result of the echocardiogram I was scheduled to meet with a cardiologist.
I have done a fair bit of research on what mitral valve prolapse is and what possible remedies look like. It seems there are several options – but for my situation all options involve open heart surgery. The preferred remedy would be for the surgeon to repair the faulty valve. Another option would be to replace the faulty valve. Within the replacement option there is the possibility of using a “tissue valve” or a “mechanical valve”. Each carries advantages and disadvantages.