Who is affected by chorea?

Who is affected by chorea?

Chorea can occur in people of all ages. However, certain groups of people have an increased risk, including:

• People with a family history of Huntington’s disease: If you have a parent with Huntington’s disease, there is a 50% chance you’ll inherit the disease. Usually, people develop symptoms of Huntington’s disease between ages 40 and 50. Huntington’s disease is the most common inherited type of chorea.
• Children who have had rheumatic fever: Kids and adolescents can develop Sydenham chorea after rheumatic fever, which is a complication of untreated strep throat.
• People with other medical conditions: Autoimmune diseases (such as lupus) and hormonal disorders like hyperthyroidism and metabolic disorders such as hypoglycemia can cause chorea. There is a long list of other disorders that can cause chorea.