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Can A Heart Valve Heal Itself?

Written By: Adam Pick, Patient Advocate, Author & Website Founder
Page Last Updated: June 8, 2025

Kenny writes to me, "Hi Adam - My grandma needs open heart surgery, according to my parents. They tell me she has mitral regurgitation and it's really bad. I'm curious to know, "Can a heart valve heal itself?". What do you think? Kenny"

I really wish a simple and emphatic 'Yes!' would answer Kenny's question. It would be sooooooooo incredibly wonderful if a heart valve could heal itself - like a cold or a broken bone.

Human heart anatomy showing each of the four valves in the heart

Unfortunately, heart valves do not tend to heal themselves. It is true that some infants born with heart murmurs will eventually grow out of the murmur as the heart matures. But, in all of my research, I have yet to hear, read or see a patient story in which a valvular disorder (e.g. aortic valve stenosis, aortic regurgitation, mitral valve regurgitation) naturally heals by itself.

Normal tricuspid aortic valve compared to bicuspid aortic valve

Some might suggest that the use of stem cells could offer a natural process in which a human heart valve can heal itself. However, from my research, that would require a stem cell valve cloning and an open heart procedure to replace the valve. In my opinion, that process doesn't really sound like a situation in which a human heart valve heals itself.

Calcified bicuspid aortic valve with stiff leaflets causing stenosis

Calcified Heart Valve

I hope this helps Kenny (and perhaps you) learn more about the question, "Does a heart valve heal itself?"

Written by Adam Pick - Patient & Website Founder

Adam Pick is a heart valve patient and author of The Patient's Guide To Heart Valve Surgery. In 2006, Adam founded HeartValveSurgery.com to educate and empower patients. This award-winning website has helped over 10 million people fight heart valve disease. Adam has been featured by the American Heart Association and Medical News Today.

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