Rheumatic heart disease is an illness in which the valves of the heart become permanently damaged after a bout of rheumatic fever. The valves become scarred, so that they cannot open and close properly, forcing the heart to work harder to pump blood. However, the disease may not become apparent for up to 50 years after the initial attack of fever, with the symptoms becoming obvious only when there is an extra strain on the heart; for example, during pregnancy, or after the accumulated wear and tear of middle age.
In this section you can find out more about the causes of rheumatic heart disease, along with information on the symptoms, means of diagnosis and methods of treatment.
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