Do you sometimes feel short of breath, wheezing, or chest tightness even when walking a short distance? Although these things may seem like normal fatigue, there may be a small problem in our heart behind this. Today we are going to talk about such a condition, which is called 'Mitral Valve Stenosis' or medically known as ``Mitral Valve Stenosis''. Don't worry, let's talk about this simply.
What is Mitral Valve Stenosis?
Simply put, this is a narrowing or blockage of the mitral valve inside our heart. Imagine that there is a door between two rooms in your house. If that door cannot be opened completely, but only opens slightly, wouldn't it be difficult to move around? That's what happens here too.
The mitral valve is the gate through which blood flows from the upper chamber (left atrium) to the lower chamber (left ventricle) on the left side of our heart. The oxygenated blood from the lungs first enters this upper chamber. From there, it goes to the lower chamber, where it pumps oxygenated blood to the entire body.
So, when this mitral valve becomes narrow, it becomes difficult for blood to flow from the upper chamber to the lower chamber. It's like a door that won't open properly. This causes the heart to work harder. Over time, this can cause various problems with the functioning of the heart.
How common is this situation in Sri Lanka?
Actually, this is not a very common disease compared to developed countries. The reason for this is that we now have good antibiotics for bacterial infections, which are the main cause of this disease. But in the past, this condition was very common.
This condition is slightly more common in women than in men. In developed countries, it is most common in people in their 50s and 60s, but it is also seen in younger people in developing countries. Sometimes, young babies can be born with this condition.
What are the symptoms of this?
Most of the time, this condition doesn't show any major symptoms until it's a little more severe. But when symptoms do appear, you can see things like this.
| Symptom | A simple explanation |
|---|---|
| Difficulty breathing (dyspnea) | This is the most common symptom. You may have difficulty breathing not only when exercising or doing work, but also when lying down in bed. |
| Fatigue | This isn't just tiredness. It's an overwhelming feeling of fatigue that makes you unable to do a day's work. You feel as if your body has no life. |
| Frequent chest infections (bronchitis) | Heart failure can affect the lungs and lead to frequent chest infections. |
| Palpitations | Because there is too much pressure on the upper chamber of the heart, the heart can beat irregularly. This is called atrial fibrillation . Then you feel like your heart is beating fast and strangely. |
| Stroke | Because the heart doesn't pump blood properly, a blood clot can form and travel to the brain and become lodged. This is a dangerous condition. |
| Coughing up blood | The pressure from the heart can affect the veins in the lungs, and sometimes a little blood can come out with the mucus when you cough. |
| Voice change (Hoarseness) | A nerve that controls our voice passes near the heart. If the upper chamber of the heart becomes enlarged and this nerve is compressed, the voice can become hoarse. |
| Swelling of the ankles, feet, or abdomen | When the heart cannot pump blood properly, fluid builds up in the body and areas like the legs and stomach begin to swell. |
Symptoms seen in young children when this condition occurs
Young children born with this condition may show symptoms such as:
- Difficulty breastfeeding or sweating while breastfeeding.
- Cough and cold.
- Failure to show growth appropriate for age.
- Frequent respiratory infections.
- Getting tired quickly and having difficulty breathing even after running and playing for a while.
Importantly, some people may not have any symptoms even though they have this condition. Many women are diagnosed with it, especially during pregnancy. This is because the heart has to work harder to pump blood to the baby during pregnancy.
Why is this happening? What are the main reasons?
There are several main reasons for this.
- Damage caused by infection: The main and most common cause of this is rheumatic fever . If a bacterial infection of the throat (strep throat) is not treated properly in childhood, the body's immune system can respond by damaging the heart valves. This damage can take 20 to 30 years before symptoms appear. That's why many people don't develop symptoms until they're middle-aged.
- Changes that occur with age: As we age, calcium deposits can build up on the valves, causing them to thicken and narrow. However, this narrowing is often not severe and may not require treatment.
- Congenital: Some children may be born with a narrowed valve. This condition is usually diagnosed before the age of 2.
Other complications that may arise from this condition
If mitral valve stenosis is not treated in time, other health problems can occur, such as:
- Pulmonary Hypertension
- Pulmonary Edema
- Heart Failure
- Blood clots and stroke
- Irregular heartbeat `(Atrial Fibrillation)`
- Infection of the heart valves (Infective Endocarditis)
How does a doctor accurately diagnose this disease?
When you go to see a doctor, he will listen to your chest with a stethoscope while examining you. Then, if you hear an abnormal sound coming from the heart, we call it a 'Heart Murmur' , you may be suspicious. Then, he will refer you for tests like this to confirm the disease.
| Test | What do you learn from this? |
|---|---|
| Echocardiogram | This is the main test used to diagnose this disease. Ultrasound waves are used to take a video of the heart, showing exactly how narrow the valve is and how the heart is functioning. |
| ECG test (Electrocardiogram) | This measures the electrical activity of the heart. It can check for irregular heartbeats, such as atrial fibrillation. |
| Chest X-ray examination | This can help determine if there has been a change in the shape or size of the heart due to this disease. |
| Cardiac Catheterization | In some severe cases, a small tube is passed through a vein in the arm or leg into the heart to measure the pressure inside the heart chambers. |
What are the treatments for this?
There are treatments for this. But these treatments only control the symptoms and stop the condition from getting worse. It is very important to start treatment as soon as possible after symptoms start.
Medicines
The doctor will prescribe various medications to control your symptoms.
- Control high blood pressure.
- Reduce water retention and control swelling.
- Control your heartbeat.
- Reduce the risk of stroke by preventing blood clots.
Catheter treatment
These are simpler procedures than surgery. They are done by passing a small tube through a vein in the arm or leg to the heart.
- Balloon Valvuloplasty:A balloon is placed near the blocked valve and inflated, widening the valve.
- Transcatheter valve replacement (TMVR): In some cases, this procedure can also replace the old valve with a new one.
Surgical repair or replacement of the valve
If the condition is severe, surgery may be necessary. Here, the surgeon can:
- Repair the valve: You can separate the valves of a valve that is stuck together and make it work again.
- Complete valve replacement: The damaged valve can be removed and replaced with an artificial valve or a valve made from animal tissue. Your doctor will explain which method is best for you.
Can mitral valve stenosis be prevented?
Yes, it is very possible. Since rheumatic fever is the main cause of this, it is best to treat bacterial infections (especially throat infections) promptly and properly. If a doctor prescribes antibiotics, you should take them for the full prescribed period, even if the pain subsides.
Although we can't completely stop the things that happen as we age, we can delay them with a healthy lifestyle (good diet, exercise, healthy weight).
When should I go to the ETU (Emergency Treatment Unit)?
If you are receiving treatment, in such cases, you should immediately go to the Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU) of the nearest hospital.
After starting the medication...
- If you experience any unusual side effects from the medication (ask your doctor in advance to find out what those are).
- If you suddenly lose consciousness.
- If you are taking blood thinners, you may be at greater risk of internal bleeding if you fall.
- If breathing difficulty suddenly increases.
After surgery or other treatment...
- If the surgical wound is red, swollen, or feels warm (these are signs of infection).
- If you experience fainting, chest pain, or rapid heartbeat.
- If you are taking blood-thinning medication, have a fall, or experience uncontrollable bleeding, such as nosebleeds, blood in vomit, or blood in stool.
Take-Home Message
- Mitral valve stenosis is a blockage of an important valve in your heart.
- Difficulty breathing and feeling tired easily are two of the main symptoms.
- The main reason for this is that throat infections are not treated properly during childhood. Therefore, if you have a sore throat, see a doctor and get the right medicine.
- Early detection and timely treatment of this condition can prevent serious complications.
- If you have these symptoms, don't be afraid to see a doctor and seek advice. He or she will give you the guidance you need.
💬 Comments (0)
No comments have been posted yet. Add your comment here for the first time.
Add your comment