senile rheumatic heart disease

Rheumatic fever is an autoimmune connective tissue disease associated with group A beta-hemolytic streptococcal infection. It primarily affects the heart and joints, followed by the skin, serous membranes, and blood vessels. It has a tendency for recurrent episodes and often leaves cardiac valve damage, leading to rheumatic heart disease (senile rheumatic heart disease). Senile rheumatic heart disease Most cases are continuations of the disease contracted during youth into old age, with very few cases having onset in late life. Senile rheumatic heart disease may present with no or few clinical symptoms, or may show progressive cardiac damage. Symptoms may also be exacerbated by rheumatic activity, hypertension, coronary heart disease, and infection. In elderly patients with rheumatic activity, manifestations may include carditis - tachycardia, appearance of new murmurs, electrocardiographic changes, and elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate. Arthritis may also occur, but erythema marginatum, chorea, and subcutaneous nodules are less common in elderly patients.