Mitral Stenosis


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.


Why does mitral stenosis cause enlargement of the left atrium?
Because mitral stenosis can lead to changes in the mitral valve, particularly causing excessive pressure in the left ventricle, this excessive pressure can lead to enlargement of the left atrium, which are complementary conditions. During this period, it is still important to actively manage the condition, using medication treatment. If the area of stenosis is relatively large, surgical treatment is needed, as balloon dilation can currently be used to alleviate this condition. Early treatment is best to relieve clinical symptoms. At the same time, it is also important to actively monitor changes in heart rate, blood pressure, and pulse, so as to control the heart rate and reduce myocardial oxygen consumption.


How to treat calcification of mitral valve regurgitation?
Mitral valve regurgitation with calcification indicates the onset of calcification in this condition, though this alone does not necessarily indicate a problem. However, mitral valve regurgitation should still be actively treated. Early or mild cases can lead to pathological changes in the heart, particularly when there is excess pressure on the mitral valve, left ventricle, or left atrium. This may cause symptoms like palpitations, chest tightness, and difficulty breathing. Sometimes, medications to dilate blood vessels, strengthen the heart, and promote urination may be necessary to reduce cardiac load and improve symptoms.


Does severe mitral valve regurgitation require surgery?
Severe mitral valve regurgitation requires surgical treatment, with options including mitral valve repair or replacement surgery. If left untreated, severe mitral regurgitation can lead to enlargement of the left ventricle and a reduction in the heart's ejection fraction, resulting in decreased pumping function and symptoms of heart failure. Patients may experience symptoms such as difficulty breathing, fatigue, and nocturnal paroxysmal dyspnea. Severe cases might even exhibit symptoms of acute left heart failure, such as orthopnea, profuse sweating, and coughing up pink frothy sputum. These symptoms typically necessitate hospitalization, which not only adds unnecessary financial burdens but also severely impacts the patient’s quality of life.


Lifespan after mitral valve surgery
Mitral valve surgery includes mitral valve repair and mitral valve replacement repair. The life expectancy after mitral valve surgery is directly related to the patient's preoperative heart function. Patients with poor heart function or poor physical condition have worse prognoses after surgery. If the preoperative heart function and cardiac quality are good and the surgery is timely, the prognosis can be good, even reaching normal life expectancy. Conversely, if the preoperative heart function is poor and the overall physical condition is not good, the prognosis tends to be worse due to the patient's physical state. In general, the earlier the detection and the more timely the surgery, the better the prognosis. Therefore, if there is any growth, it is necessary to seek medical attention promptly.