What Is Rheumatic Heart Disease?

Rheumatic heart disease is a condition in which permanent damage to heart valves is caused by rheumatic fever. The heart valve is damaged by a disease process that generally begins with a strep throat caused by streptococcus A bacteria, that may eventually cause rheumatic fever.

The effects of rheumatic fever

• Rheumatic fever, an inflammatory disease, can affect many connective tissues, especially in the heart, joints, skin, or brain.
• Rheumatic fever can occur at any age, but usually occurs in children five to 15 years old.
• Rheumatic fever causes heart damage - particularly scarring of the heart valves - forcing the heart to work harder to pump blood and may eventually cause congestive heart failure.