What is rheumatic heart

Following carditis, the heart valves can remain damaged then become scarred, and the result is an interruption to normal blood flow through the damaged valves. Some blood may flow backward through a leaky valve that does not close properly, or blood may be blocked because a tight, scarred valve does not open properly. When the heart is damaged in this way, the heart valve is not able to function adequately, and heart surgery may be required to repair or replace the damaged valve.

Regular antibiotics are prescribed for people with RHD to prevent recurrent ARF and subsequent worsening of the valve damage. Rheumatic heart disease is a chronic, disabling and sometimes fatal disease that is entirely preventable. RHD is diagnosed by echocardiogram ultrasound. Many people with RHD have a heart murmur, which can be heard through a stethoscope. Symptoms of more severe disease can include chest pain, breathlessness with physical activity or when lying down, weakness and tiredness, and swelling of the legs.

Heart surgery can manage some of these problems and prolong life, but does not cure RHD. It is also important to lead a healthy lifestyle. Find someone you can turn to for emotional support like a family member, friend, doctor, mental health worker or support group.

Talking about your challenges and feelings could be an important part of your journey to recovery. To find useful services to help you on your journey with heart disease, see our services and resources listing. Donate now. Heart disease Conditions A-Z Rheumatic heart disease.

What is rheumatic fever? What is rheumatic heart disease? Types of rheumatic heart disease Every part of the heart may be damaged by inflammation caused by rheumatic fever. Some heart problems linked to rheumatic fever are: valvular heart disease pericarditis endocarditis heart block The most common form of rheumatic heart disease affects the heart valves. Valve stenosis occurs when there is narrowing of a valve, which restricts blood flow.

Valve regurgitation is when blood leaks backward through a valve, instead of following its usual direction. The inflammation of rheumatic fever can damage the heart muscle itself.

Who is at risk? Symptoms 1. The symptoms of rheumatic fever include: fever painful joints migrating pain from joint to joint red, warm, swollen joints small, painless bumps beneath the skin chest pain heart murmur painless rash with a jagged edge erythema marginatum jerky movements unusual behaviours accompanying the movements 2.

The symptoms of heart valve problems — which are often the result of rheumatic heart disease — can include: chest discomfort or pain irregular or rapid heartbeats heart palpitations shortness of breath fatigue or weakness light-headedness, dizziness or near fainting swelling of the stomach, feet, or ankles If you have one or more of these symptoms, see your doctor.

Tests that will check your heart for damage include: echocardiogram chest X-ray. Treatment Children or young adults with heart damage from rheumatic fever may need to take daily antibiotics until they are 25 to 30 years old.

Be smoke-free. It may be used to get a more precise look at the heart valves and heart muscle. Blood tests. Certain blood tests may be used to look for infection and inflammation. Treatment depends in large part on how much damage has been done to the heart valves. In severe cases, treatment may include surgery to replace or repair a badly damaged valve. The best treatment is to prevent rheumatic fever. Antibiotics can usually treat strep infections and keep rheumatic fever from developing.

Anti-inflammatory drugs may be used to reduce inflammation and lower the risk of heart damage. Other medicines may be needed to manage heart failure.

People who have had rheumatic fever are often given daily or monthly antibiotic treatments, possibly for life, to prevent recurrent infections and lower the risk of further heart damage. To reduce inflammation, aspirin, steroids, or non-steroidal medicines may be given. Heart failure. This can occur from either a severely narrowed or leaking heart valve. Bacterial endocarditis. This is an infection of the inner lining of the heart, and may occur when rheumatic fever has damaged the heart valves.

Complications of pregnancy and delivery due to heart damage. Women with rheumatic heart disease should discuss their condition with their healthcare provider before getting pregnant. Ruptured heart valve. This is a medical emergency that must be treated with surgery to replace or repair the heart valve. Rheumatic heart disease can be prevented by preventing strep infections or treating them with antibiotics when they do occur.

You will need to have ongoing follow-up with your healthcare provider to check the condition of your heart. Depending on the amount of heart damage, you may have some activity restrictions. Your healthcare provider may recommend that you take antibiotics for an extended period to prevent another infection of rheumatic fever. Rheumatic fever is an inflammatory disease that can affect many connective tissues, especially in the heart.