What happens if I don't have surgery for mitral valve regurgitation?
Some people cannot have mitral valve surgery because their health is too frail or because of other reasons. If you belong to this group, you will likely develop severe heart failure. But you can still make changes in your lifestyle that can minimize the quantity and severity of complications. These lifestyle changes include:
- Eating a diet low in fat, cholesterol, and sodium.
- Taking medicines for heart failure.
- Performing daily, light aerobic exercise, such as walking.
- Giving up smoking.
- Limiting activities that may strain you.
As it becomes more difficult for you to carry out your daily functions, you may need help from friends and family.
For more information on heart failure and lifestyle changes to minimize heart failure, see the topic Heart Failure.
| Author: | Robin Parks, MS | Last Updated: March 27, 2008 |
| Medical Review: | E. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine Stephen Fort, MD, MRCP, FRCPC - Interventional Cardiology | |
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