Mitral Stenosis Causes & Risks

Causes

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.

Risk Factors

A risk factor is something that increases your chance of getting a disease or condition. The main risk factor for mitral stenosis is rheumatic fever. Other risk factors include:

• Sex: female
• Age: 30 to 50