1. Learn About the Symptoms
Some people who have mitral valve stenosis--a narrowing of the mitral valve in your heart that impedes normal blood flow--are asymptomatic or have very minor symptoms for a time. Learn about the symptoms of mitral stenosis so you can monitor your health and let your doctor know if you think your condition is worsening. Pay attention to how you feel when you're lying down, or after you exert yourself through exercise or your daily routine. Excessive fatigue and shortness of breath are symptoms consistent with mitral valve narrowing. You may cough up blood and develop pneumonia or bronchitis more easily than people whose hearts are functioning normally. You could have swelling in your ankles and feet, as well.
2. Have a Physical Exam
If you feel some of the physical discomforts that occur with mitral stenosis, or if your symptoms suddenly escalate, it is crucial that you schedule an appointment with your doctor. He will perform a thorough physical exam, and may find that you have other complications that are common in patients with mitral stenosis. These can include blood clots, lung congestion, heart arrhythmia and hypertension--all conditions that, when left untreated, can become life-threatening.
3. Get a Chest X-Ray
Your doctor will likely send you for a battery of tests that allow him to see the actual narrowing of the valve that diagnoses mitral stenosis. Another useful diagnostic tool is a chest X-ray. When you have mitral valve stenosis, the left side of your heart will be enlarged, due to the lack of normal blood flow between the atrium and ventricle. An X-ray of your chest will reveal if your heart is enlarged in this way and help your doctor determine the course of action that must be taken to repair your mitral valve.
