Who is most likely to exhibit symptoms of mitral stenosis?

Mitral stenosis is a narrowing of the mitral valve opening, which can lead to various symptoms such as dyspnea, fatigue, palpitations, and sometimes symptoms of heart failure due to the increased pressure in the left atrium and pulmonary circulation. The demographic most commonly affected by mitral stenosis is women, particularly due to the higher prevalence of rheumatic fever, which is a major cause of this condition. Rheumatic fever often stems from untreated strep throat and can lead to valve damage, with a well-documented tendency to affect females more than males.

This gender predisposition is important in understanding the typical clinical presentations. In contrast, while mitral stenosis can occur in men, the frequency and symptoms manifest in females more distinctly. It is also not primarily seen in older men, and the condition can occur in individuals at various ages, but it is less common in children and does not exhibit a significant gender difference in that age group. Thus, the conclusion that females predominantly exhibit symptoms of mitral stenosis aligns with clinical observations and epidemiological data.