Which heart valve is most commonly affected by rheumatic fever?

Rheumatic fever is a serious inflammatory condition that can arise as a complication of untreated streptococcal throat infection. One of its most significant long-term effects is valvular heart disease, particularly affecting the mitral valve. The condition leads to an immune response that may damage the heart valves. Among the heart valves, the mitral valve is the one most commonly affected by rheumatic fever, leading to disorders such as mitral stenosis or mitral regurgitation.

The mitral valve’s anatomical position and its role in the blood flow between the left atrium and left ventricle make it more susceptible to the immunological damage caused by rheumatic fever. The inflammation and scarring that occur can alter the normal structure and function of the valve, resulting in significant clinical consequences for the patient.

Other valves, such as the aortic, tricuspid, and pulmonic valves, can also be affected by rheumatic fever, but they are far less commonly involved compared to the mitral valve. This significantly increases the likelihood of mitral valve pathology in patients with a history of rheumatic fever, solidifying its status as the most commonly affected valve in this disease process.