Final answer:
Mitral valve prolapse disrupts normal blood flow by allowing regurgitation, leading to a heart murmur and inefficient circulation, which can strain the heart over time. Severe cases may require medical intervention.
Step-by-step explanation:
The condition known as mitral valve prolapse occurs when the mitral valve doesn't close properly, which can be due to damage or breakage of the chordae tendineae. This damage causes a heart condition marked by the regurgitation of blood as the closure mechanism fails, disrupting the heart's normal one-way flow of blood. Regurgitation leads to blood flowing backward, a problem which is often detectable by a heart murmur heard through a stethoscope.
Mitral regurgitation is one of the most common types of valvular heart disease, affecting the efficient flow of blood through the heart which could lead to various forms of insufficiency. Specifically, mitral insufficiency refers to the inadequate flow of blood due to the mitral valve's malfunction. Over time, this valve disorder can result in an increased workload for the heart, leading to heart weakening and potential heart failure.
Valvular heart disease can be congenital or acquired through disease or trauma. In cases of severe valve malfunction, medical intervention is often required, whether through medication, monitoring, or, in critical situations, surgical repair or replacement of the valve.