Can strep throat cause damage to heart valves?

Rheumatic heart disease is a condition in which the heart valves have been permanently damaged by rheumatic fever. The heart valve damage may start shortly after untreated or under-treated streptococcal infection such as strep throat or scarlet fever.

How does strep affect heart?

In some people, repeated strep infections cause the immune system to react against the tissues of the body including inflaming and scarring the heart valves. This is what is referred to as rheumatic fever. Rheumatic heart disease results then from the inflammation and scarring of heart valves caused by rheumatic fever.

What is the relationship between strep throat and mitral valve damage?

Antibiotics are usually prescribed to treat strep throat. But when it goes untreated or undetected, it can lead to acute rheumatic fever. From there, it can develop into rheumatic heart disease, which seriously damages heart valves.

How does strep throat lead to heart complications?

Strep Throat Can Lead To Heart Complications. Rheumatic fever (RF) is a complication resulting from untreated strep throat. Caused by group A streptococcal infection, rheumatic fever was once the number one cause of valve disease. This was the case before antibiotics were widely used in strep throat treatment.

Are there any risks with heart valve repair?

Valve repair or replacement is generally safe. However, as with any surgery or procedure, complications can occur. Possible risks associated with treatment include: Valve repair or replacement surgery is performed to correct the problems caused by one or more diseased heart valves.

Are there any risks associated with heart surgery?

Heart Surgery Risks and Complications. These risks are specific to the procedure being performed, in addition to the general risks of surgery and the risks associated with anesthesia. The risks vary from one type of heart surgery to another (including pacemaker placement, coronary artery bypass grafting, congenital defect repair,…

How often does an infection occur after open heart surgery?

A study published in the Journal of Cardiothoracic Vascular Anesthesia found infection after open-heart surgery occurs in as many as 1 out of every 5 patients. Nearly half of those infections required the individual to remain in the hospital for two weeks or more.