What are the long-term effects of carditis from rheumatic fever?
Carditis, or inflammation of the heart muscle and tissue, is the most serious result of rheumatic fever. Some patients don’t develop carditis, while others develop mild carditis that may not cause problems in the future. However, some children develop severe carditis. The inflammation leads to scarring and permanent damage to the heart, particularly the valves. The mitral valve, which controls the flow of blood between the upper left chamber and the lower left chamber of the heart, is most often damaged. If the valve becomes leaky, surgery to replace or repair it may be necessary. Usually this isn’t necessary before adulthood. A child who has serious rheumatic heart disease will need to see a cardiologist regularly for the rest of his or her life. The doctor will monitor heart function so that, if problems develop, they can be addressed as quickly as possible.
