Final answer:
Rheumatic heart disease is associated with a characteristic heart murmur caused by inflammation of the heart valves. Symptoms of rheumatic heart disease include shortness of breath, fatigue, chest pain, and palpitations. The disease typically occurs in childhood or adolescence.
Step-by-step explanation:
Rheumatic heart disease is associated with a heart murmur. The inflammation of the heart valves caused by cross-reacting antibodies leads to scarring and stiffness of the valve leaflets, resulting in a characteristic heart murmur. The murmur can be heard through auscultation using a stethoscope. The severity of the murmur can be graded on a scale of 1 to 6, with 1 being the least serious.
Some signs and symptoms of rheumatic heart disease include shortness of breath, fatigue, chest pain, and palpitations. These symptoms may occur due to the abnormal functioning of the affected heart valves.
Rheumatic heart disease typically occurs in childhood or adolescence, usually as a result of untreated or inadequately treated streptococcal pharyngitis. It is important to diagnose and treat streptococcal pharyngitis promptly to prevent the development of rheumatic heart disease.