What Is Rheumatic Heart Disease?
9. What Complications Result from Rheumatic Heart Disease?
Without proper treatment, you can develop a host of complications from heart disease. Heart failure can result from a narrowed or leaking heart valve. A damaged valve might rupture, causing an emergency and the need for a replacement valve to be inserted.
Bacterial endocarditis, an infection of the lining within the heart, can also develop from damaged valves. Additionally, women with rheumatic heart disease are at a higher risk than others for cardiac complications during pregnancy and childbirth. They should carefully discuss their condition with their doctor before becoming pregnant.
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