What lifestyle modifications should I advise for patients diagnosed with mitral regurgitation?

Lifestyle modifications for patients diagnosed with mitral regurgitation include:

• Regular clinical monitoring: Advise patients with asymptomatic mitral regurgitation to attend clinical reviews every 6 to 12 months, including echocardiograms, to monitor disease progression and determine if intervention becomes necessary.
• Symptom awareness and prompt reporting: Educate patients to recognise symptoms such as breathlessness, fatigue, or palpitations and to seek medical advice promptly if these develop.
• Heart failure management: For those with heart failure symptoms, lifestyle advice should align with heart failure guidelines, including fluid management, salt restriction, and physical activity tailored to tolerance.
• Pregnancy planning: Women with moderate or severe mitral valve disease should receive advice on pregnancy implications and be referred to specialist cardiology care if pregnant or planning pregnancy.
• General cardiovascular health: Encourage maintaining a healthy weight, balanced diet, smoking cessation, and regular physical activity within tolerance to reduce cardiovascular risk factors.

There is no specific lifestyle modification uniquely mandated for mitral regurgitation beyond these general and monitoring-focused recommendations, as the management primarily depends on severity and symptoms, with surgical or interventional options considered when indicated ¹.