Rheumatic heart disease is a condition where the heart valves are damaged by rheumatic fever. This may occur following an untreated or undertreated bacterial (streptococcal) infection that causes your body to produce an inflammatory response.
Causes
- Inflammation of the heart valve caused by rheumatic fever
- Recurring streptococcal infections
Signs and symptoms
Symptoms of rheumatic heart disease may take years to manifest following a streptococcal infection or rheumatic fever. The symptoms include:
- Chest aches
- Fatigue
- Shortness of breath (especially after physical exertion or when lying down)
- Heart murmurs
- Swelling in the hands, feet or abdomen
Risk factors
- Recurring untreated streptococcal infections
- Limited accessibility to healthcare or antibiotics
- Residing in overcrowded or populated conditions
Diagnosis
- Physical examination
- Evaluation of medical history
- Echocardiogram (to search for faulty or narrowed heart valves)
- Electrocardiogram
- Chest X-ray
- Blood tests (to test for the presence of inflammation)
- Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
Treatment options
While there is no cure for rheumatic heart disease, there are treatments that can help manage the symptoms and delay the development of future complications. These include:
- Anti-inflammatory drugs for the reduction of inflammation
- Antibiotics for the prevention of rheumatic fever
- Medications to help manage irregular heartbeats
- Replacing or repairing a broken valve through surgery (in severe cases)
Prevention
Rheumatic heart disease can be prevented through the use of antibiotics as soon as a streptococcal infection is detected.
Visit your nearest Gleneagles Hospital to learn more about our Cardiology Services
References:
- Rheumatic heart disease. Available at https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/rheumatic-heart-disease#: [Accessed on 10 May 2022]
- Rheumatic heart disease. Available at https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/21485-rheumatic-heart-disease [Accessed on 10 May 2022]
