En Espaol (Spanish Version) Mitral stenosis is a narrowing of
the mitral valve in the heart. This valve is located between the
atrium (upper chamber) and the ventricle (lower pumping chamber)
of the left side of the heart. Blood must flow from the atrium,
through the mitral valve, and into the ventricle before being
pumped out into the rest of the body. Mitral stenosis results in
inadequate blood flow between the two left chambers, and
therefore too little blood and oxygen being pumped throughout
the body. Mitral Valve Stenosis 2008 Nucleus Medical Art, Inc.
The most common cause of mitral stenosis is rheumatic fever ,
which scars the mitral valve. A less common cause is a
congenital defect, usually part of a complex of multiple heart
defects present at birth. Very rare causes include blood clots,
tumors, or other growths that block blood flow through the
mitral valve. A risk factor is something that increases your
chance of getting a disease or condition. The main risk factor
for mitral stenosis is rheumatic