Arteriosclerosis, commonly called hardening of the arteries, includes a variety of conditions in which artery walls thicken and lose elasticity. There is evidence that heredity and a high cholesterol level in the blood can lead to atherosclerosis, the most common form of arteriosclerosis Hypertension. The force of the blood being pumped through the arteries exerts pressure on the arterial walls. When this pressure is too high it is an unhealthy condition called hypertension, or, simply, high blood pressure. If left untreated, it can lead to heart attack, stroke, kidney disease, or other illnesses.
Rheumatic fever causes inflammation of the body tissues, joints, and heart.
All heart tissues, including the pericardium, can be affected, but the heart's valves are most often damaged. Antibiotics can lessen the adverse effects and prevent serious heart damage. Bacterial endocarditis, a bacterial infection of the inner lining of the heart muscle, leads to inflammation of the lining. More than half of the incidents of bacterial endocarditis are a result of rheumatic fever. Bacteria may also be introduced into the bloodstream during minor medical procedures, but this is rare.