Mitral Stenosis

Mitral stenosis is when the valve between the left heart chambers is too narrow and cannot pump all the blood into the heart’s main chamber. When this happens, blood flows backwards into the heart. If untreated, mitral stenosis can result in complications like heart failure or atrial fibrillation.

Symptoms

Mild cases may not show symptoms, but as the valve narrows further, individuals may experience:

• Shortness of breath, especially during activity or lying down
• Fatigue and reduced ability to exercise
• Heart palpitations or irregular heartbeat
• Chest discomfort or tightness
• Swelling in the legs or feet
• Coughing up blood (in severe cases)

Symptoms often worsen with physical exertion, pregnancy, or infections.

Treatment options for mitral stenosis

Treatment depends on the severity of the condition and symptoms:

• Medications: Cannot fix the valve but help manage symptoms. Common prescriptions include diuretics (to reduce fluid buildup), beta-blockers (to slow the heart rate), and blood thinners (to prevent clots if atrial fibrillation develops).
• Balloon Valvuloplasty: A minimally invasive procedure where a balloon is used to widen the narrowed valve.
• Valve Surgery: In severe cases, the mitral valve may need repair or replacement with a mechanical or biological valve through open-heart surgery or minimally invasive techniques.