Can someone with mitral stenosis fly on a plane?

Written by Di Zhi Yong
Cardiology
Updated on September 19, 2024
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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.

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Written by Xie Zhi Hong
Cardiology
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The reason for the formation of mitral stenosis pear-shaped heart

The heart undergoes a contraction cycle that begins once the ejection from the previous cycle is complete, necessitating the relaxation of the heart. As the heart relaxes, the mitral valve opens to allow blood to flow from the atrium to the ventricle, preparing for the next heartbeat. In patients with severe mitral stenosis, a significant reduction in the return volume of blood to the heart occurs. This reduction diminishes the pumping action of the ventricle, leading to disuse atrophy of the left ventricle. Normally, the left ventricle is relatively large and capable of maintaining a normal heart shape. When the left ventricle atrophies, it results in the heart having a flatter, more rounded apex, leading to a pear-shaped heart. If the ventricles are unable to efficiently reclaim blood, the load on the left atrium increases. Consequently, the left atrium enlarges, appearing larger at the top and smaller at the bottom in an X-ray, resembling a pear. This is how a pear-shaped heart is formed.

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Written by Di Zhi Yong
Cardiology
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Mild to moderate mitral stenosis, how long?

If the patient has mitral stenosis which is mild and progressing to moderate, it will take a year or even longer. Because if mild cases are aggressively managed with medication, it can slow the further progression of the disease. Mitral stenosis is a type of rheumatic heart disease or heart valve disease, mainly causing symptoms such as palpitations, chest tightness, and shortness of breath, with severe cases also presenting with swelling of the lower limbs. For mild mitral stenosis, it is necessary to have regular hospital check-ups, particularly to actively prevent upper respiratory tract infections, as sometimes these conditions can occur after catching cold, and actively controlling respiratory inflammation can improve symptoms.

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Written by Di Zhi Yong
Cardiology
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Why does mitral stenosis cause thromboembolism?

Due to mitral stenosis, thrombus formation can sometimes occur, especially when ischemic cerebrovascular diseases lead to cerebral infarction. This is because mitral stenosis can cause emboli to dislodge and travel through the bloodstream to reach the cerebral arteries or veins, leading to thrombus formation. During this period, anticoagulant medications are sometimes used for treatment. If a patient has a history of mitral stenosis, it is necessary to actively use medications for treatment. During this time, it is also important to monitor changes in the patient’s heart rate, blood pressure, and pulse to control the ventricular rate. Currently, treatment is primarily symptomatic, aimed at improving cardiac function.

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Written by Chen Tian Hua
Cardiology
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What to do with mild mitral and tricuspid regurgitation?

The appearance of mild regurgitation in the mitral and tricuspid valves requires further clarification of the specific causes leading to the regurgitation, and treatment should be based on these causes. In healthy individuals, mild regurgitation of the mitral and tricuspid valves may be considered physiological degeneration, which is not considered a disease and does not require special treatment. However, mild regurgitation of these valves can also occur due to related organic diseases causing ventricular enlargement and annular dilation, leading to relative mild regurgitation of the mitral and tricuspid valves. In such cases, effective treatment of the underlying disease is necessary to keep it stable in the long term, preventing further enlargement of the ventricle that could worsen valve regurgitation and adversely affect the patient.

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Written by Di Zhi Yong
Cardiology
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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.