Mitral Valve Stenosis: What You Need to Know
Your heart has four valves that keep blood moving in the right direction. One of them — the mitral valve — sits between the left atrium and the left ventricle. When this valve becomes narrow or stiff, the condition is called mitral valve stenosis.
Dr. Nikhila Pachani, Consultant Interventional Cardiologist at Backbone Medicity Hospital, Rajkot, recently shared important awareness about this condition to help patients recognise it early.
What Causes Mitral Valve Stenosis?
The most common cause in India is rheumatic heart disease. This happens when a strep throat infection — if not treated properly — triggers inflammation that damages the heart valves over time. Because rheumatic fever is still relatively common in Gujarat and across India, mitral stenosis remains a condition that cardiologists here see regularly.
What Are the Symptoms?
Mitral stenosis may develop slowly, so many people do not notice symptoms until the narrowing becomes significant. Common warning signs include:
- Shortness of breath, especially during physical activity or when lying flat
- Fatigue or feeling unusually tired
- Palpitations — a fluttering or fast heartbeat
- Swelling in the legs or feet in more advanced cases
If left untreated, mitral stenosis can lead to serious complications such as heart failure or stroke.
How Is It Diagnosed?
The primary tool for diagnosing mitral stenosis is an echocardiogram (echo) — a non-invasive ultrasound scan of the heart. It shows how well the valve is opening and closing, and how severely it is narrowed. An ECG and chest X-ray may also be done to get a fuller picture.
What Are the Treatment Options?
Treatment depends on how severe the narrowing is and what symptoms the patient has. Options include:
- Medicines to manage symptoms, control heart rate, and reduce the risk of blood clots
- Balloon Mitral Valvotomy (BMV) — a catheter-based procedure where a small balloon is used to open the narrowed valve without open-heart surgery
- Valve repair or replacement surgery for cases where the valve damage is more extensive
Early detection makes a significant difference. Patients who are diagnosed before severe complications develop generally have more treatment choices available to them.
Key Takeaway
If you or someone in your family experiences unexplained breathlessness, fatigue, or palpitations — do not ignore it. A timely heart check-up can catch mitral valve disease early, when it is most manageable.
If you are concerned about your heart health, consider booking a consultation with a qualified cardiologist in Rajkot for a proper evaluation.