What symptoms would a client with mitral stenosis most likely demonstrate?

Mitral stenosis is a condition characterized by the narrowing of the mitral valve, which impedes blood flow from the left atrium to the left ventricle during diastole. As a result of this obstruction, blood can accumulate in the left atrium and subsequently lead to increased pressure in the pulmonary circulation. This pulmonary congestion manifests as symptoms such as shortness of breath, particularly during exertion or when lying flat, and may also lead to pulmonary hypertension and right-sided heart failure over time.

The presence of congestion specifically in the pulmonary system is therefore the most characteristic symptom of mitral stenosis. Patients often report symptoms like pulmonary edema, which can be observed through clinical signs such as wheezing or coughing, especially when they are laid flat or exert themselves.

Congestion in the aorta, right atrium, or superior vena cava are less directly related to the pathophysiology of mitral stenosis. These regions may experience symptoms associated with other cardiac issues or diseases but are not the primary focus of the hemodynamic changes that occur with mitral stenosis. The left atrial enlargement and subsequent pulmonary congestion are directly tied to the increased pressure caused by the narrowed mitral valve, thus making congestion in the pulmonary system the most