Abstract

The effects of socioeconomic status may cause mitral valve replacement due to rheumatic fever. Environmental and financial factors in an underserved community such as access to healthcare, overcrowding, household income, and health literacy may predispose individuals and increase their risk of acquiring infections. Two patients were identified and then interviewed in the midtown community in Saint Petersburg, Florida who received mitral valve replacements as the result of rheumatic fever. This is the study of two case reports outlining the progression of rheumatic fever leading to mitral valve replacements.

Keywords: Rheumatic fever; Socioeconomic status; Mitral valve replacement; Mitral valve regurgitation; Rheumatic heart disease