What is mitral valve stenosis?
Mitral valve stenosis is a heart problem in which the mitral valve becomes stiff and doesn't open as wide as it should. This forces your heart to work harder to pump blood through the valve, which can weaken the heart and cause other problems.
What are the symptoms of mitral valve stenosis?
Mitral valve stenosis symptoms may not happen for many years. When symptoms first appear, they usually are mild.
An early symptom is shortness of breath when you're active. This shortness of breath may seem normal to you.
Symptoms later in the disease may include:
- Shortness of breath even when you haven't been very active or when you are resting.
- Feeling very tired or weak.
How is mitral valve stenosis diagnosed?
Mitral valve stenosis may not be diagnosed until you've had the disease for some time. If you don't have symptoms, the first clue might be a heart murmur that your doctor hears during a routine checkup.
Your doctor will ask you questions about your past health and do a physical exam. If your doctor thinks that you might have the disease, you may need more tests. These may include:
- An echocardiogram (echo). This ultrasound test lets your doctor see a picture of your heart, including the mitral valve.
- An electrocardiogram (EKG or ECG). This test can check for problems with your heart rhythm.
- A chest X-ray. This shows your heart and lungs. It can help your doctor find the cause of symptoms such as shortness of breath.
These tests also help your doctor find what caused the stenosis and how severe it is.
How is mitral valve stenosis treated?
Treatment for mitral valve stenosis depends on how severe the disease is and if you have symptoms or other health problems from the stenosis. You and your doctor can decide what treatment is right for you.
- You will have regular checkups and echocardiograms if your stenosis is mild or moderate.
- Your doctor will likely recommend a heart-healthy lifestyle.
- You may take medicines to prevent or treat complications. These include atrial fibrillation, heart failure, and stroke.
- You may choose to have the mitral valve repaired or replaced if you have symptoms or the stenosis is severe.
Valve repair or replacement
Repairing the valve can be done by:
- Balloon valvuloplasty. This is a catheter procedure. It stretches the valve open. It is also called valvotomy.
- Commissurotomy. This is typically an open-heart surgery to remove calcium deposits and other scar tissue from the valve.
Mitral valve replacement surgery replaces the damaged valve with a new valve.
How can you care for yourself when you have mitral valve stenosis?
- Be safe with medicines. Take your medicines exactly as prescribed. Call your doctor if you think you are having a problem with your medicine. You will get more details on the specific medicines your doctor prescribes.
- Call your doctor if you have new symptoms or your symptoms get worse.
- Eat heart-healthy foods. These include vegetables, fruits, nuts, beans, lean meat, fish, and whole grains. Limit sodium, sugar, and alcohol.
- Be active. Ask your doctor what type and level of exercise is safe for you.
- Do not smoke. Smoking increases your risk of heart attack and stroke. If you need help quitting, talk to your doctor about stop-smoking programs and medicines. These can increase your chances of quitting for good.
- Stay at a healthy weight. Lose weight if you need to.
- Manage other health problems. If you think you may have a problem with alcohol or drug use, talk to your doctor.
- Avoid infections such as COVID-19, colds, and the flu. Get the flu vaccine every year. Get a pneumococcal vaccine. If you have had one before, ask your doctor whether you need another dose. Stay up to date on your COVID-19 vaccines.
- Take care of your teeth and gums. Get regular dental checkups. Good dental health is important because bacteria can spread from infected teeth and gums to the heart valves.
Mitral valve stenosis: When to call
Call 911 anytime you think you may need emergency care. For example, call if:
- You have symptoms of a heart attack. These may include:
- Chest pain or pressure, or a strange feeling in the chest.
- Sweating.
- Shortness of breath.
- Nausea or vomiting.
- Pain, pressure, or a strange feeling in the back, neck, jaw, or upper belly or in one or both shoulders or arms.
- Dizziness or lightheadedness.
- A fast or irregular pulse.
- You have been diagnosed with angina, and you have angina symptoms that do not go away with rest or are not getting better within 5 minutes after you take a dose of nitroglycerin.
- You have symptoms of a stroke. These may include:
- Sudden numbness, tingling, weakness, or loss of movement in your face, arm, or leg, especially on only one side of your body.
- Sudden vision changes.
- Sudden trouble speaking.
- Sudden confusion or trouble understanding simple statements.
- Sudden problems with walking or balance.
- A sudden, severe headache that is different from past headaches.
- You have severe shortness of breath.
- You cough up pink, foamy mucus.
- You passed out (lost consciousness).
Call your doctor now or seek immediate medical care if:
- You have new symptoms or your symptoms get worse.
- You have new or increased shortness of breath.
- You feel very tired.
- You feel a fluttering, racing, or pounding feeling in your chest.
- You are dizzy or lightheaded, or you feel like you may faint.
- You have a fever.
- You have sudden weight gain, such as more than 2 to 3 pounds in a day or 5 pounds in a week. (Your doctor may suggest a different range of weight gain.)
- You have new or increased swelling in your legs, ankles, or feet.
Watch closely for changes in your health, and be sure to contact your doctor if you have any problems.
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