What is a notable long-term consequence of untreated mitral regurgitation?

Untreated mitral regurgitation can lead to significant long-term consequences, with heart failure being one of the most notable outcomes. In this condition, blood flows backward from the left ventricle into the left atrium during each heartbeat due to improper closure of the mitral valve. This regurgitant flow can progressively increase the volume load on the left atrium and left ventricle, leading to myocardial dilation and ultimately heart failure.

As the problem persists, the heart may initially compensate through hypertrophy, but over time, these compensatory mechanisms can fail, leading to a decreased ejection fraction, increased left atrial pressure, and symptoms of congestion and heart failure. Patients often present with signs of dyspnea on exertion, orthopnea, paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea, and signs of fluid overload like edema.

While other conditions like hepatic failure, kidney stones, and anemia may have some association with cardiovascular health, they are not direct long-term consequences specifically stemming from untreated mitral regurgitation. Thus, the close link between untreated mitral regurgitation and the development of heart failure clearly marks heart failure as a primary and notable long-term consequence of this valvular disorder.