Acquired valve disease includes problems that develop with valves that were once normal. These may involve changes in the structure of your valve or infection. The leaflets may become thickened and calcified, limiting movement. The chordae may tear or the leaflets may develop holes or tears. The valve annulus may stretch and become too wide.
Rheumatic fever is caused by an untreated streptococcal infection, such as strep throat.
Luckily, the introduction of penicillin to treat strep infections has brought a dramatic decline in this valve disease. Rheumatic fever occurs mostly in children aged 5 to 15, but the symptoms of valve disease may not be seen until 20 to 40 years later. When rheumatic fever occurs, an allergic response causes the heart valve leaflets to become inflamed. The leaflets may then stick together and become scarred, rigid, thickened and shortened. This may cause one or more of the valves to become narrowed or leaky.