Mitral stenosis is a heart valve disorder that narrows or obstructs
the mitral valve opening. Narrowing of the mitral valve prevents
the valve from opening properly and obstructs the blood flow from
the left atrium to the left ventricle. This can reduce the amount
of blood that flows forward to the body. The main risk factor for
mitral stenosis is a history of rheumatic fever but it may also be
triggered by pregnancy or other stress on the body such as a
respiratory infection, endocarditis, and other cardiac disorders.
Review Date: 05/06/2010
Reviewed By: Issam Mikati, MD, Associate Professor of Medicine, Feinberg School
of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL. Review provided
by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD,
MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)
