What are the signs of mitral stenosis?

Mitral stenosis is a heart valve disease that affects the flow of blood from the left atrium to the left ventricle. Knowing the signs can help with early identification and treatment. A sign of mitral stenosis is often a heart murmur, one of the easiest abnormalities to hear when a doctor listens to the heart. A heart murmur is usually caused by turbulence as blood flows through the narrowed valve, just like a river becomes louder when it encounters a narrow channel.

Patients may feel short of breath, especially when exercising or lying down. This is because the narrow valve restricts blood flow, causing congestion in the lungs, which in turn causes difficulty breathing. Imagine that normal blood flow through the heart is like traffic on a highway, while mitral stenosis is like a toll booth on the highway, causing a traffic jam and slowing down the flow of traffic.

Fatigue is also a common sign because the heart needs to work harder to keep blood circulating, and the body uses more energy. Patients may feel extremely tired and even have trouble completing daily activities. It feels like climbing a mountain with a heavy load on your back, and the body needs to work harder to complete the same task.

Palpitations or irregular heartbeats are also potential signs of mitral stenosis. In order to overcome the resistance of the stenosis, the heart may beat at an irregular rhythm. This irregular heartbeat may make people feel uneasy and even affect their normal life and rest.

If these signs occur, it is very important to seek medical attention promptly. The doctor may use tests such as an electrocardiogram and echocardiogram to confirm the condition. Treatment usually includes medication and surgical intervention, and the specific plan depends on the severity of the condition. With active treatment and lifestyle adjustments, most patients can effectively manage mitral stenosis and live a healthy life. Knowing these signs will not only help detect problems early, but also help patients communicate better with their doctors and work together to develop a suitable treatment plan.