The three main risk factors for mitral valve stenosis are:

• History of rheumatic fever. Unfortunately, since most individuals do not know they had rheumatic fever, they may not know they are at risk.
• Aging. Wear and tear of the mitral valve over time may cause it to harden and narrow.
• Gender. About twice as many women as men develop mitral valve stenosis.²

Less commonly, diabetes and Marfan's syndrome can lead to mitral valve stenosis, causing calcification, or hardening, of the mitral valve's base. This limits the valve's flexibility and slows its rhythmic movements. Any condition that scars the valves, such as endocarditis, may lead to mitral valve stenosis. But, these conditions usually raise the chance of getting mitral valve regurgitation rather than stenosis.

Little can be done to prevent mitral valve stenosis. Similarly, after you develop the condition, you cannot prevent the start of symptoms or predict how quickly symptoms will develop.

Fortunately, mitral valve stenosis can be treated, and few people die from it.