Mitral Valve Stenosis

Living With Mitral Valve Stenosis

Serious heart damage can result from long-term mitral valve stenosis. If you have been diagnosed with the condition, it is important to talk to your doctor about how often you should be examined.

Symptoms

Be especially alert for new or worsening symptoms, such as shortness of breath, pounding of the heart, or unusual fatigue. If new symptoms develop or preexisting symptoms become worse, call your doctor.

Exercise

People who have severe mitral valve stenosis may need to be cautious about their level of physical activity. If you don't exercise, talk to your doctor before you start. You may be able to do certain types of exercise that don't put undue strain on your heart.

If you don't have symptoms, discuss exercise with your doctor. If your stenosis is mild, normal activities, mild exercise, and in some cases competitive sports may be allowed. However, if your stenosis is moderate or severe and you have symptoms, you should avoid strenuous activity.

If you have a physically demanding job, you may need to change careers. Talk with your doctor to determine a safe level of activity.

Diet

Depending on the severity of your condition and symptoms, your doctor may advise you to limit salt in your diet to less than 2,300 mg a day. If you consume too much sodium, it will cause your body to retain excess fluid. Excess fluid in the body will cause swelling, breathing difficulties, fatigue, and other unpleasant side effects.

Salt restriction usually includes avoiding potato chips, pretzels, salted nuts, processed meats and cheeses, pizza, canned soups, canned vegetables, olives, fast foods, and frozen dinners (unless the label clearly states the product is low-sodium). Add more fresh fruit and vegetables to your diet to replace foods high in sodium.

When grocery shopping, check labels carefully for hidden sodium.

Antibiotics

Mitral valve stenosis puts you at risk for an infection in your heart (endocarditis), because blood does not flow normally. So bacteria or fungi may attach to heart tissue and cause an infection. Before you have any dental work or surgery (which could put bacteria or fungi into your blood), tell everyone who will treat you that you are at risk for endocarditis.

If you have an artificial valve, getting endocarditis is even more dangerous for you. So your doctor may prescribe antibiotics before you have certain dental or surgical procedures.

More Information: How often should I have an echocardiogram? If I don't have symptoms, how will my mitral valve stenosis be monitored? What if I'm pregnant or want to become pregnant?

Go to previous section	Go to top of page	Go to next section
Author:	Kathe Gallagher, MSW	Last Updated: March 31, 2006
Medical Review:	Caroline S. Rhoads, MD - Internal Medicine Stephen Fort, MD, MRCP, FRCPC - Interventional Cardiology
© 1995-2008 Healthwise, Incorporated. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated.This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. How this information was developed to help you make better health decisions.