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Rheumatic Heart Disease

Rheumatic heart disease is inflammation and damage to the heart muscle and heart valves that develops as a result of rheumatic fever. A strep throat infection that is not properly treated can trigger rheumatic fever.

Not all people who have rheumatic fever develop rheumatic heart disease. But any heart damage that occurs is usually permanent.

Last Revised: July 27, 2010

Author: Healthwise Staff

Medical Review: Sarah Marshall, MD - Family Medicine & Donald R. Mintz, MD - Otolaryngology

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