Rheumatic heart disease refers to heart valve damage caused by rheumatic fever, affecting the mitral, tricuspid, or aortic valves with stenosis and/or regurgitation. It is an autoimmune disease triggered by group A beta-hemolytic streptococcal infection and is incurable. Even with surgical treatments aimed at repairing or replacing the damaged valves, the underlying disease cannot be completely cured.
Dilated cardiomyopathy is characterized by the enlargement of the left or both ventricles with impaired systolic function. The causes of dilated cardiomyopathy are diverse, and despite various treatments, the disease remains incurable. After diagnosis, the 5-year survival rate is about 50%, and the 10-year survival rate is about 25%.
As we age, our bodies undergo degenerative changes, including the heart. The heart contains many valves that may thicken, harden, and deform with age. This can lead to valvular insufficiency, stenosis, and degeneration, commonly observed in elderly individuals during echocardiograms. These age-related changes are irreversible and cannot be completely cured by current medical practices.