Lifestyle and home remedies

Lifestyle changes can help improve your heart health. If you have mitral valve stenosis, your doctor may recommend that you:

• Limit salt. Salt in food and drinks may increase pressure on your heart. Avoid high-sodium foods. Don't add salt to food. Read food labels and ask for low-salt dishes when eating out.
• Maintain a healthy weight. Ask your doctor what a healthy weight is for you.
• Cut back on alcohol and other stimulants. Heavy alcohol use, caffeine, nicotine and other stimulants can cause your heart to beat faster and worsen arrhythmias.
• Get regular exercise. How long and hard you're able to exercise may depend on the severity of your condition and the intensity of exercise. But everyone should engage in at least low-level, regular exercise. Ask your doctor for guidance before starting to exercise, especially if you're considering competitive sports.
• Quit smoking. If you smoke, talk to your doctor about programs and medications that can help you quit.
• See your doctor regularly. Have regular checkups with your cardiologist or primary care doctor. If you have frequent palpitations or feel your heart racing, get medical help. Fast heart rhythms that aren't treated can quickly get worse in people with mitral valve stenosis.

Women with mitral valve stenosis need to discuss family planning with their doctors before becoming pregnant. Pregnancy causes the heart to work harder. How a heart with mitral valve stenosis tolerates the extra work depends on the degree of stenosis and how well the heart pumps. If you're pregnant and have mitral valve stenosis, your doctors should closely monitor you.