What physiological consequence can arise from rheumatic heart disease?

Rheumatic heart disease often leads to long-term damage to the heart valves as a result of rheumatic fever, which is a complication stemming from untreated streptococcal throat infections. This damage can manifest as valve stenosis (narrowing) or regurgitation (leakage), impairing the heart's ability to function effectively.

The reduction in the ability of the heart to pump blood efficiently can significantly diminish its functional capacity. The heart may have difficulty maintaining adequate circulation, which can affect the body’s organs and tissues, leading to various symptoms such as fatigue, shortness of breath, and reduced exercise tolerance.

In contrast, while conditions like an increased heart rate, increased myocardial oxygen demand, or decreased cardiac output can also arise due to different cardiac issues, they do not directly encapsulate the primary long-term consequence of rheumatic heart disease as effectively as the reduced functional capacity does. Thus, the physiological consequence directly linked to the chronic effects of rheumatic heart disease is primarily a reduction in the functional capacity of the heart.