As we get older, heart valves tend to weaken or harden. These problems can lead to valvular heart disease, and eventually, valve replacement surgery. Heredity Valvular heart disease may be a congenital problem for some. If a member of your family has it, be sure your physician knows so that you can be monitored and treated accordingly. People generally contract rheumatic fever between the ages of 5 and 15, but the valve problems don't surface for another 10 to 15 years.
Rheumatic fever can cause scarring and thickening of the leaflets of the valves.