Mitral Stenosis


The causes of embolism in mitral stenosis
Mitral stenosis in patients can lead to embolism due to the tendency of mitral stenosis to cause enlargement of the left atrium. The enlargement of the left atrium is a key anatomical factor leading to atrial fibrillation and cardiac arrhythmias. When atrial fibrillation occurs, it is easy for blood clots to form in the left atrium, especially in the area of the left atrial appendage. When a blood clot breaks off, it can travel with the bloodstream and cause occlusion of the corresponding blood vessels, resulting in embolic complications. Timely surgical intervention to treat mitral stenosis can effectively prevent complications such as atrial enlargement and blood clots caused by mitral stenosis.


Can mitral stenosis be repaired?
Mitral stenosis sometimes requires surgical treatment to achieve repair standards, but it cannot be repaired solely through medication, as medications only relieve symptoms and cannot serve the purpose of treatment. This disease can cause ischemic and hypoxic changes, leading to heart failure. Patients typically present with a rumbling murmur in the precordial area, and may also experience palpitations, difficulty breathing, and other symptoms. It is sometimes crucial to actively monitor changes in the patient's blood pressure, heart rate, and pulse. The treatment primarily focuses on symptomatic relief, improving heart function, and may include the administration of low-flow oxygen inhalation to help alleviate the current condition of the patient.


Is mild mitral valve regurgitation serious?
Mild mitral valve regurgitation, as the name implies, is mild and not severe. From a medical perspective, most cases of mild mitral valve regurgitation are normal physiological phenomena in the human body, which do not cause symptoms, do not affect health, and do not require treatment. Therefore, there is no need to overly worry about this condition in daily life. Of course, maintaining good lifestyle habits is necessary, such as exercising regularly with activities like running and practicing yoga, not smoking, not drinking alcohol, ensuring good sleep, and keeping a pleasant mood. Regarding diet, eat less spicy and greasy food and consume more vegetables and fruits. Good lifestyle habits can effectively prevent the worsening of mitral valve regurgitation.


Does mitral valve cause hemoptysis with lumps?
If the patient has a history of mitral stenosis, it is still necessary to actively control the symptoms in treatment. Because mitral stenosis can cause hemoptysis, the amount of blood coughed up depends on individual factors. This condition can cause capillary rupture and bleeding, which may result in the coughing up of blood clots. This situation does not indicate whether there is a tumor, as mitral stenosis is a type of rheumatic heart disease or congenital heart disease. Currently, the treatment primarily focuses on symptomatic relief, actively controlling the heart rate, and managing changes in blood pressure and pulse, which can also improve this condition.


What is causing the nausea and vomiting due to mitral stenosis?
If a patient exhibits mitral stenosis along with nausea and vomiting, it is possible that there is an overproduction of stomach acid, leading to symptoms like acid reflux, nausea, and vomiting. This condition might be due to gastrointestinal congestion caused by mitral stenosis, resulting in excess stomach acid under stress. In terms of treatment, it is advisable to recommend medications that suppress stomach acid secretion early on to alleviate the current symptoms. As for treating mitral stenosis, employing cardiotonic and diuretic therapies to improve heart function can help relieve symptoms. Regular hospital visits for cardiac ultrasound are still necessary to monitor the condition.


Can people with mitral stenosis have children?
If the patient has mitral stenosis, the decision on whether to have children should be based on the size and extent of the narrowing. This is because, in the late stages of pregnancy, this condition can be life-threatening, especially as it can lead to heart failure. This occurs because blood volume increases and the heart is overloaded, which is very dangerous. It can cause the fetus to develop certain diseases due to ischemia and hypoxia, potentially endangering its life. Since mitral stenosis is a type of congenital heart disease, surgical treatment is sometimes necessary to alleviate the condition. The decision to have children can vary depending on individual differences and is not absolute. If the symptoms are severe, it is recommended not to have children.


Do young people have mitral valve regurgitation?
Mitral valve regurgitation is a type of congenital heart disease that tends to occur in children, adolescents, or the elderly. Young people can also develop mitral valve regurgitation. To diagnose this condition, an echocardiogram is necessary, as it allows for a more definitive diagnosis. In terms of treatment, symptomatic treatment is often primary, using cardiotonic diuretics to improve the patient's heart function. During this period, it is important to monitor changes in the patient's vital signs, especially heart rate, pulse, and blood pressure. If the heart rate is too fast, efforts should sometimes be made to actively control ventricular force, thereby reducing the load on the heart.


What to do about chronic cough due to mitral valve insufficiency?
If the patient exhibits mitral regurgitation, this condition falls under cardiac valvular diseases. If the patient frequently experiences coughing and expectorating phlegm, it indicates a certain level of inflammatory infection. It is recommended for the patient to undergo a chest CT scan for an effective confirmation of the cause, which will then determine the treatment plan. For simple mitral stenosis, symptomatic treatment is currently the primary approach, using medications to address heart failure or ischemia and hypoxia. Early treatment is advised to alleviate the current state of ischemia and hypoxia. Persistent coughing and expectorating phlegm indicate inflammation, necessitating the use of antibiotics.


Can someone with mitral stenosis fly on a plane?
If the patient has a history of mitral stenosis, it is best not to fly, as flying may exacerbate the symptoms, causing situations like palpitations, chest tightness, and breathing difficulties. If the mitral stenosis is treated timely, these symptoms will subside. During this period, it is also important to monitor changes in the patient's heart rate, blood pressure, and pulse. An overly rapid heart rate can sometimes cause palpitations. It is especially important to manage the ventricular rate. The patient's diet should primarily consist of low salt, low fat, and low sugar. Regular re-examinations of the electrocardiogram and echocardiogram are necessary, and if symptoms worsen, it is critical to go to the hospital for treatment promptly.


Is severe mitral valve regurgitation serious?
Mitral valve regurgitation can be mild, moderate, or severe, with severe mitral valve regurgitation being the most serious. Over time, severe mitral valve regurgitation can cause enlargement of the heart and a decreased heart pumping function, eventually leading to symptoms of heart failure. Patients may experience difficulty breathing, shortness of breath, fatigue, and other symptoms. Additionally, there may be swelling in both lower limbs. When such symptoms occur, it is necessary to take diuretic medications under the guidance of a doctor to reduce heart strain, such as furosemide or spironolactone. If necessary, digoxin may be taken to strengthen the heart and improve symptoms of heart failure. After stabilization, a mitral valve replacement or repair surgery may be scheduled.