Symptoms

Mitral Valve Disease

Valve disease may have mild, moderate, or severe symptoms.

Mitral valve stenosis (the narrowing of the valve opening) results in blood pooling in the left atrium. This can cause the blood to back up into the left atrium. It can then continue backing up into the pulmonary vein and eventually into the lungs, causing shortness of breath or, if fluid accumulates, significant problems with breathing. Mitral valve incompetence (the inability of the valve to form a tight seal), also results in a backup of blood and can cause both the left atrium and left ventricle to become enlarged.

If left untreated, mitral valve disease ultimately results in heart failure.

• Shortness of breath
• Severe swelling
• Palpitations, rapid thumping or a pounding sensation in your chest
• Chest pain
• Fainting or light-headedness
• Low or high blood pressure (depending upon the affected valve)
• Abdominal pain
• Lethargy
• Increased wet coughing
• Decreased endurance