20 Astonishing Varieties of Heart Disease: Your Ultimate Roadmap to Cardiac Chaos

13. Rheumatic Heart Disease

Rheumatic heart disease is the long-term consequence of untreated strep throat or scarlet fever. When these bacterial infections go unmanaged, they can trigger an autoimmune response called rheumatic fever, which damages the heart valves over time. The condition is most common in developing countries and among children and young adults. Symptoms may not appear until years after the initial infection, and can include fatigue, chest discomfort, and shortness of breath. Damaged valves may require surgical repair or replacement. Prevention starts with timely antibiotic treatment for strep throat—proving that something as small as a sore throat can echo into the heart.

14. Cardiac Amyloidosis

Also called “stiff heart syndrome,” cardiac amyloidosis occurs when abnormal protein deposits (amyloid) accumulate in the heart tissue, making it thick and inflexible. This disrupts normal heart function and can lead to restrictive cardiomyopathy or heart failure. Often misdiagnosed, symptoms include fatigue, leg swelling, irregular heartbeat, and difficulty breathing. It can be linked to underlying conditions like multiple myeloma or occur spontaneously. Treatment includes medications to stabilize amyloid production and manage heart failure symptoms. Though rare, cardiac amyloidosis is increasingly recognized and must be caught early to avoid irreversible damage.