RHEUMATIC HEART DISEASE
A disorder known as rheumatic heart disease occurs when rheumatic fever permanently damages the heart valves. Heart valve damage may begin after an untreated or inadequately treated streptococcal infection, such as strep throat or scarlet fever.
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Rheumatic fever, an inflammatory condition that can damage numerous connective tissues, particularly in the heart, joints, skin, or brain, is the root cause of rheumatic heart disease. Over time, the heart valves may become damaged and irritated. This can cause the heart valve to constrict or leak, making it more difficult for the heart to operate normally. Heart failure may ensue from this, which could take years to manifest.
Diagnosis
Rheumatic heart disease patients frequently have or have recently had strep infections. A blood test or throat culture may be done to check for strep.
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A regular medical examination may reveal a murmur or rub that they have. The blood spilling around the damaged valve is what causes the murmur. The rub is brought on by movement or contact between the irritated cardiac tissues.
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The following tests may be performed to identify rheumatic heart disease: echocardiogram (echo), electrocardiogram, chest X-ray, cardiac MRI, and blood tests.
Symptoms
The diagnosis of rheumatic heart disease depends on recent strep infection or rheumatic fever. Rheumatic fever symptoms can differ and commonly appear 1 to 6 weeks following a case of strep throat. Sometimes the illness is too minor to be detected, or it may already be gone by the time the patient visits a doctor.​
The most typical signs of rheumatic fever are as follows:
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Fever
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Nodules (lumps under the skin)
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Shortness of breath
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Red, raised, lattice-like rash
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Chest discomfort
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Muscles in the arms, legs, or face move erratically.
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Weakness
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Depending on the extent of valve damage, rheumatic heart disease symptoms may include:
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Shortness of breath
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Chest pain
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Swelling
Treatments
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The severity of the heart valve damage determines the course of treatment. Surgery to replace or repair a severely damaged valve may be necessary for critical cases of the condition.
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Preventing rheumatic fever is the best treatment. Strep infections can typically be treated with antibiotics, as can the development of rheumatic fever. To lessen inflammation and limit the risk of heart damage, anti-inflammatory medications may be utilized. Additional medications could be required to treat heart failure.
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People with rheumatic fever are frequently prescribed daily or monthly antibiotic treatments to avoid recurrent infections and reduce the danger of further heart damage. These treatments may last for the rest of their lives. Anti-inflammatory drugs such as steroids, aspirin, or non-steroidal ones can be used to treat inflammation.
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Sources:
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https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/rheumatic-heart-disease
https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/rheumatic-heart-disease
https://world-heart-federation.org/what-we-do/rheumatic-heart-disease/
https://www.heartandstroke.ca/heart-disease/conditions/rheumatic-heart-disease
https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/encyclopedia/content.aspx?ContentTypeID=85&ContentID=P00239