Mitral Valve Stenosis: Causes, Symptoms & Treatments

What is mitral valve stenosis?

Mitral valve stenosis is a heart problem in which the mitral valve doesn’t open as wide as it should. The valve becomes stiff or scarred, or the valve flaps become partially joined together.

See a picture of mitral valve stenosis .

Mitral valve stenosis can lead to heart failure; a stroke; an infection in the heart (endocarditis); or a fast, slow, or uneven heartbeat (arrhythmia). Fortunately, mitral valve stenosis can be treated.

How does the mitral valve work?

Your heart has four chambers and four valves. The valves have flaps, or leaflets. The flaps open and close to keep blood flowing in the proper direction through your heart.The mitral valve connects the heart’s upper left chamber (left atrium) to the lower left chamber (left ventricle). When the heart pumps, blood forces the flaps open, and blood flows from the left atrium to the left ventricle. Between heartbeats, the flaps close tightly so that blood does not leak backward through the valve.With mitral valve stenosis, not as much blood can flow into the left ventricle. More blood stays in the left atrium, and blood may back up into the lungs.

See a picture of a normal mitral valve .

What causes mitral valve stenosis?

Nearly all cases of mitral valve stenosis are caused by rheumatic fever. This fever results from an untreated strep infection, most often strep throat. But many people who have mitral valve stenosis don’t realize that they had rheumatic fever.

What are the symptoms?

Mitral valve stenosis is a lifelong disease, but symptoms may not happen for many years. When symptoms first appear, they usually are mild. You may only have a few symptoms, even if your mitral valve is very narrow. An early symptom is shortness of breath when you are active. This shortness of breath may seem normal to you.

Symptoms later in the disease may include:

Shortness of breath even when you have not been very active or when you are resting.
Feeling very tired or weak.
Pounding of the heart (palpitations).

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 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 you might have the disease, he or she may do more tests. These may include:

An echocardiogram. 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 and 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 it treated?

Treatment depends on how severe the disease and your symptoms are.

You’ll probably need only regular checkups if you have mild or moderate stenosis.
You may need medicines to treat complications.
You may need your mitral valve repaired or replaced if you have severe symptoms, your valve is very narrow, or you are at risk for other problems, such as heart failure.

You will likely need regular echocardiograms so your doctor can check for any changes in your mitral valve and heart.

You can make lifestyle changes to keep your heart healthy. Your doctor may advise you to:

Quit smoking and stay away from secondhand smoke.
Follow a heart-healthy diet and limit sodium.
Be active. If your stenosis is mild, you’ll probably be able to do your usual activities, get mild exercise, and play some sports. But if your stenosis is moderate or severe, you may need to avoid intense exercise. But your doctor can help you choose an activity or exercise that is safe for you.
Stay at a healthy weight, or lose weight if you need to.

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