What is a common exam finding associated with mitral stenosis?

In mitral stenosis, a hallmark finding during auscultation is often a loud first heart sound (S1). This is due to the increased pressure in the left atrium and the decreased mobility of the mitral valve leaflets when they are thickened and calcified, characteristic of mitral stenosis. The S1 sound can be heightened because the valve closes more forcefully as the left atrium contracts against obstruction.

The presence of this loud S1 is particularly significant and can be an important clinical observation during a physical exam, providing insight into the severity of the stenosis and the state of the left atrium.

Diastolic murmurs are also common in mitral stenosis; they arise due to turbulent blood flow across the narrowed mitral valve during diastole. However, the question specifically asks about a common exam finding, where the loud S1 is often noted first during examination.

While a wide QRS complex and bradycardia can be observed in various cardiac conditions, they are not typically associated with mitral stenosis. Therefore, loud S1 serves as a critical and diagnostic finding in the context of mitral stenosis.