When the bacterium that causes syphilis infects the cardiovascular system, it can lead to numerous life-threatening complications. Cardiovascular syphilis is without a doubt the most potentially lethal symptom of this STI. It results in narrowing of the blood vessels, aneurysms, heart attacks, and valve damage that eventually results in heart failure. Cardiovascular syphilis causes irreversible damage, even though the infection is still treatable by antibiotics at this stage. Like neurosyphilis, this condition occurs after the disease develops for many years without treatment.

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