Mitral stenosis Health Article

Definition

Mitral stenosis is a heart valve disorder that involves a narrowing or blockage of the opening of the mitral valve, which separates the upper and lower chambers on the left side of the heart.

Alternative Names

Mitral valve obstruction

Causes, incidence, and risk factors

Mitral stenosis prevents the valve from opening properly. This prevents proper blood flow from moving between the left atrium (upper chamber of the heart) and ventricle (lower chamber of the heart). As the valve area becomes smaller, less blood flows forward to the body. The upper heart chamber swells as pressure builds up and blood may flow back into the lungs, resulting in pulmonary edema (fluid in the lung tissue).

In adults, mitral stenosis most commonly occurs in people who have had rheumatic fever. Since rheumatic fever rates are declining in the United States, the rate of mitral stenosis is also decreasing. Only rarely do other disorders cause mitral stenosis in adults.

In children, congenital mitral stenosis is more often part of a group of heart deformities.

In children, mitral stenosis may run in families.

Symptoms

There are often no symptoms in adults. However, symptoms may appear or get worse with exercise or any activity that raises the heart rate. In adults, symptoms usually develop between the ages of 20 and 50.

In infants and children, symptoms may be present from birth (congenital).

Symptoms may begin with an episode of atrial fibrillation or may be triggered by pregnancy or other stress on the body such as infection in the heart or lungs, or other heart disorders.

Symptoms may include:

• Chest discomfort (rare)
  • Tight, crushing, pressure, squeezing, constricting
  • Radiates to the arm, neck, jaw, or other areas
  • Increases with activity, decreases with rest
• Cough, possibly bloody
• Difficulty breathing during or after exercise or when lying flat; may wake up with difficulty breathing
• Fatigue, tired easily
• Frequent respiratory infections such as bronchitis
• Poor growth in children
• Sensation of feeling the heart beat (palpitations)
• Swelling of feet or ankles