Rheumatic heart disease is caused by one or more Rheumatic attacks, this will cause damage to the heart. Specifically to the heart valves. This fever normally occurs during childhood. A streptococcal infection will ensue, which is what will generally cause the damage to the Heart valves. It can also damage the Heart Muscles, and teh sac enclosing the heart.
In this disease, the scarring to the heart valves can cause them to not operate (open and close) correctly. Atherosclerosis. In the process inflammation,