Information and opinions on Heart Disease from Annilou at MyHeartCentral.com. The HealthCentral Network, Inc. (www.HealthCentral.com) is one of the top health destinations on the Web, with more than 35 condition-specific, wellness and general health Web properties. http://www.healthcentral.com/heart-disease/c/56819 http://www.healthcentral.com/heart-disease/c/56819/rss self application/xml en-us 15 120 19 http://www.healthcentral.com/images/hc_logo_sm.gif http://www.healthcentral.com/heart-disease/c/56819 http://www.healthcentral.com/heart-disease/c/56819/18281/long Wed, 26 Dec 2007 01:52:00 -0500 Annilou My experience with heart disease is a long one. I had Rheumatic fever when I was in second grade. At that time they gave me penicillin and bed rest in a hospital. The damage done to my heart by rheumatic fever involved the mitral valve. In 1956 the best they told me I could hope for was to live to about age thirty, never have children, and always need to curtail my activities.. I grew up, had three kids ,was extremely active, until 55... http://www.healthcentral.com/heart-disease/c/56819/18281/long