Which condition results from repeated attacks of rheumatic fever affecting heart valves?

Rheumatic heart disease is a condition that arises as a consequence of repeated episodes of rheumatic fever, which is an inflammatory disease that can develop after an infection with streptococcus bacteria. The immune response initiated by the infection can mistakenly target the heart, particularly affecting the heart valves. Over time, this repeated inflammation causes scarring and deformity of the valves, leading to the characteristic findings of rheumatic heart disease.

Patients may experience various complications such as mitral stenosis or aortic regurgitation due to the dysfunction of the affected valves, significantly impairing heart function. The recognition and management of rheumatic heart disease are crucial, especially in populations with a high prevalence of streptococcal infections and inadequate treatment of pharyngeal infections.

The other conditions listed do not directly relate to the sequelae of rheumatic fever. Myocarditis refers to inflammation of the heart muscle typically due to viral infections, cardiac tamponade describes a condition where fluid accumulation in the pericardial space leads to impaired heart function, and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is a genetic condition characterized by abnormal thickening of the heart muscle, not influenced by previous rheumatic fever episodes.