Below are some recommendations to help people manage and properly take care of themselves if they have been diagnosed with mitral valve disease, regardless of the severity. These are all self-management, home remedies that do not fix any structural issues with the mitral valve. However, the suggestions below prevent symptoms from getting worse, along with helping to ward off other physical ailments that could potentially put stress on or damage the heart. Remember, it’s best to discuss what to do with your doctor. As a cardiac and mitral valve surgeon in the Tampa area, Dr. Peter Mikhail discusses management and care options with his patients.

• Watch blood pressure and keep it in a good range.
• Maintain a healthy weight.
• Take prescribed medicines as directed.
• Eat a healthy diet to help prevent other heart disease that can weaken the heart muscle. Heart healthy foods include: fruit, vegetables, lean meats, fish, nuts, and whole grains. Avoid or limit foods that are high in saturated fat, trans fat, sugar, salt, and refined grains.
• Limit alcohol intake. High alcohol consumption can cause arrhythmias, worsen symptoms of mitral valve disease, and cause cardiomyopathy; this is a condition when the heart muscle is weakened, which can lead to mitral regurgitation/insufficiency.
• Take medications before a dental procedure (if instructed by a doctor) to prevent ineffective endocarditis.

• Stay active and exercise regularly. A doctor will be able to tell a person what exercises and effort can be used during a workout depending on the severity of a person’s mitral valve disease.

• Have regular visits with the doctor to check in on the condition. If symptoms change or worsen, a person should see a doctor right away.
• Join a support group with people who are suffering from the same condition.