Call 911 or other emergency services immediately if you have:

• Symptoms of a heart attack, including severe chest pain.
• Symptoms of stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA).
• Irregular heartbeats and are having fainting episodes or lightheadedness.
• Palpitations or shortness of breath or are coughing up blood.

Call a doctor immediately if you have:

• Symptoms of heart failure, such as shortness of breath, swelling in the feet and ankles, and dizziness, fainting, fatigue, or weakness.
• Mitral valve stenosis and are having symptoms of infection, such as fever with no other obvious cause. Be alert for signs of infection if you have recently have had any dental, diagnostic, or surgical procedure.
• Fainting episodes.
• A decreased ability to exercise at your usual level.
• Excessive fatigue without another explanation.

Watchful waiting

Episodes of chest pain or palpitations may come and go and may not be associated with other serious heart disease. But contact your doctor when:

• Symptoms get worse.
• Symptoms persist longer than usual.

Who to see

Health professionals who can evaluate symptoms and order further tests as needed include:

• Family medicine physicians.
• Internists.
• Nurse practitioners.
• Physician assistants.
• Cardiologists.

These health professionals can provide management and monitoring. If you have severe mitral valve stenosis, you should see a cardiologist.

A cardiovascular surgeon may perform surgical repair of heart valves.