What can exacerbate the symptoms of mitral stenosis?

The symptoms of mitral stenosis can be exacerbated by physical activity due to the increased demand for cardiac output and oxygen during exertion. In patients with mitral stenosis, the narrowed mitral valve restricts blood flow from the left atrium to the left ventricle, which can result in a backlog of blood, pulmonary congestion, and decreased exercise tolerance. When a person with mitral stenosis engages in physical activity, the increased heart rate and volume of blood returning to the heart can amplify these symptoms, leading to dyspnea, fatigue, and even palpitations.

Other factors, while they may influence overall health or hydration status, do not directly increase the hemodynamic stresses associated with mitral stenosis as noticeably as physical exertion does. For example, while dehydration can lead to a decreased blood volume, it generally does not specifically worsen the outflow obstruction caused by mitral stenosis. Similarly, excessive salt intake primarily contributes to fluid retention and hypertension rather than directly worsening the mechanical obstruction of the valve. Severe cold weather may impact cardiovascular function but is not a direct trigger for exacerbating mitral stenosis symptoms in the way that physical activity is.