What complications may occur with mitral stenosis?
The main possible complications that may develop include the following: • Atrial fibrillation develops in about 4 in 10 cases. This is where the heart beats in a fast and irregular way. This occurs because the electrical signals in the enlarged atrium become faulty. The irregular heart rhythm can cause palpitations, and make you even more breathless. See separate leaflet called ‘Atrial Fibrillation’. • Heart failure may develop and gradually become more severe. This causes worsening shortness of breath, tiredness, and fluid retention in various tissues of the body. See separate leaflet called ‘Heart Failure’. • A blood clot may form within the enlarged left atrium which does not fully empty into the ventricle with each heartbeat. A blood clot is more likely to occur if you also develop atrial fibrillation. A blood clot may travel through the heart, be carried in the bloodstream and get stuck and block a blood vessel in another part of the body. For example, it may get stuck in a blood
