What is mitral stenosis?
Mitral stenosis, or mitral valve stenosis, is a narrowing of the mitral valve. One of your heart’s four valves, the mitral valve controls blood flow between the left atrium (upper chamber) and left ventricle (lower chamber) of the heart. Stenosis can restrict the amount of blood flowing through the heart to the rest of the body.
Your mitral valve normally opens to allow blood to flow, then closes to prevent it from flowing back. When the mitral valve narrows, blood flow is limited. As a result, blood can get trapped in your left atrium, putting pressure on the blood vessels that bring oxygen-rich blood from your lungs to your heart. Over time, this pressure can cause your heart’s upper chambers to get larger and allow fluid to build up in your lungs.
Mitral stenosis symptoms
Mitral stenosis typically does not cause symptoms unless it is severe. You may not know you have it until your doctor hears a heart murmur when listening to your heart at a routine check-up.
However, you might experience symptoms when your heart is under stress, for example, during pregnancy or an infection.
Symptoms of mitral stenosis may include:
- Breathing difficulties during or after activity or when lying down
- Chest pain or discomfort with activity that radiates to the arm, neck, jaw or other parts of the body
- Coughing that may be bloody
- Fainting
- Feeling dizzy or lightheaded
- Feeling very tired
- Flushed cheeks that appear purple (mitral facies)
- Frequent respiratory infections
- Heart palpitations
- Shortness of breath when resting
- Swollen ankles or feet
Mitral stenosis can also exist at birth. In babies and children with the condition, symptoms usually appear by age 2 and may include:
- Coughing
- Problems gaining weight, possibly due to feeding difficulties
- Shortness of breath
- Slowed growth
When to see a doctor
See your doctor if you have symptoms of mitral stenosis, particularly if you have a bloody cough, which could suggest severe narrowing of the valve. Always call 911 if you experience chest pain that radiates to your neck, back or jaw, shortness of breath and dizziness, or lightheadedness, as these could be signs of a heart attack.
Because the condition often causes no symptoms, having regular checkups with your primary care doctor allows them to identify heart murmurs and other signs early.
Mitral stenosis risk factors
Having a condition linked to mitral stenosis can increase your risk. However, it’s becoming less common in the United States thanks to better infection treatments that have lowered rates of rheumatic fever, the leading risk factor for mitral stenosis.
Mitral stenosis becomes more common with age. Older adults are more likely to have calcium buildup on their valves, and they may have had an infection early in life before the widespread use of antibiotics. Mitral stenosis is also common in parts of the world where antibiotic use is lower than it is in the US.
Additional risk factors include:
Locations for mitral stenosis
Find the experienced, nationally recognized care you need for mitral stenosis and other heart valve diseases at Baylor Scott & White. We can help you find care in North and Central Texas at the location that meets your needs.
