What Is Rheumatic Heart Disease?

Rheumatic Heart Disease is a condition in which the heart valves are damaged by a bout of rheumatic fever.

This makes the heart work harder and may eventually lead to congestive heart failure.

It is classed as an Organic Heart Disease because the heart organ is damaged by a specific event rather than a gradual deteriation - Degenerative Heart Disease.

Cause of Rheumatic Heart Disease

Rheumatic fever is an inflammatory disease, which can result from strep throat or scarlet fever. Due to widespread use of antibiotics to treat streptococcus infections, rheumatic fever has became fairly rare in Western countries.

Although Rheumatic fever can strike people of all ages, it is most common in children.

It can affect connective tissue throughout the body, especially in the heart and joints.

Even when the heart is affected, there are seldom any symptoms at the time, although occasionally the child may be short of breath.

Symptoms

As symptoms do appear, they will vary depending on the extent and location of the heart damage.

When the heart valves are damaged, they either don't completely close, or completely open. Damaged heart valves can cause serious problems, depending on which valve is affected and how bad the damage is.

This can eventually lead to congestive heart failure, which is a condition in which the heart enlarges and can't pump blood effectively.

Treatment

Rheumatic heart failure responds well to steroid treatment but may also be treated in the usual manner for heart failure. Eventually surgery may be required to replace the damaged valves.

It’s Your Heart. It’s Your Life.

It’s Your Choice.

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