Rheumatic heart disease is
a condition in which the heart valves have been permanently damaged by rheumatic fever
. Rheumatic fever is an inflammatory disease that can affect many connective tissues, especially in the heart. Untreated or under-treated strep infections put a person at increased risk.
Is rheumatic heart disease permanent?
What is rheumatic heart disease in children? Rheumatic heart disease is a condition that
causes permanent damage to the heart valves
. It can develop after a child has rheumatic fever.
How is rheumatic heart disease prevented?
Prevention of rheumatic heart disease
Prompt diagnosis of ARF and
taking preventative antibiotics can prevent
RHD. Prophylactic antibiotics are continued until the person is 20 to 40 years old, depending on the time of the last episode of ARF and whether they have RHD or not. Ideally, ARF and RHD can be prevented.
How long can you live with rheumatic heart disease?
The relative survival was 96.9%
(95% CI 96.1–97.5%) at one year and 81.2%
(95% CI 79.2–83.0%) at five years (S3 Fig). The risk of death among RHD/ARF patients increased with age over and above background rates; there was also increased risk for both male and iTaukei patients (S4 Table).
Is walking good for rheumatic heart disease?
Living Well with Rheumatic Disease: Exercise
Exercising can help rheumatology patients decrease
pain
and reduce disease symptoms, and can make a substantial contribution to overall flexibility. Plus, it will improve their mental outlook.
What is the treatment for rheumatic heart disease?
Antibiotic therapy
has sharply reduced the incidence and mortality rate of rheumatic fever/rheumatic heart disease. To reduce inflammation, aspirin, steroids, or non-steroidal medications may be given. Surgery may be necessary to repair or replace the damaged valve.
How do you know if you have rheumatic heart disease?
Rheumatic Heart Disease Signs and Symptoms
Symptoms of rheumatic fever, which can lead to rheumatic heart disease, include:
Swelling, redness and pain in the joints
. An inflammation of the heart muscle and tissue, causing a rapid heart rate, fatigue, shortness of breath and exercise intolerance. Fever.
What food should not to eat if you have rheumatic heart disease?
- Tobacco. Although not a food, consuming tobacco via smoking or chewing is highly detrimental to rheumatic diseases. …
- Alcohol. Over accumulation of uric acid can contribute to gout. …
- Processed Sugar. …
- Processed Foods. …
- Gluten. …
- Dairy. …
- Nightshades.
What happens if rheumatic heart disease is left untreated?
If left untreated, rheumatic heart disease can lead to
heart valve damage, stroke, heart failure, and death
. Treatment of advanced disease requires costly surgery unavailable in many parts of the world.
What is the most common and serious problem that develops in a person with rheumatic heart disease?
The most common form of rheumatic heart disease affects
the heart valves
. It may take several years after an episode of rheumatic fever for valve damage to develop or symptoms to appear.
What are the complications of rheumatic heart disease?
- 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. …
- Complications of pregnancy and delivery due to heart damage. …
- Ruptured heart valve.
How does a person get rheumatic fever?
Rheumatic fever may develop
after strep throat or scarlet fever infections
that are not treated properly. Bacteria called group A Streptococcus or group A strep cause strep throat and scarlet fever. It usually takes about 1 to 5 weeks after strep throat or scarlet fever for rheumatic fever to develop.
What 3 foods cardiologists say to avoid?
- Bacon, sausage and other processed meats. Hayes, who has a family history of coronary disease, is a vegetarian. …
- Potato chips and other processed, packaged snacks. …
- Dessert. …
- Too much protein. …
- Fast food. …
- Energy drinks. …
- Added salt. …
- Coconut oil.
What is the best exercise for heart disease?
Aerobic Exercise
How much: Ideally, at least 30 minutes a day, at least five days a week. Examples: Brisk walking, running, swimming, cycling, playing tennis and jumping rope. Heart-pumping aerobic exercise is the kind that doctors have in mind when they recommend at least 150 minutes per week of moderate activity.
Is coffee bad for rheumatic heart disease?
Concerns about caffeine consumption in patients with heart failure are largely unfounded, based on a recent study that found
no link between caffeine intake and increased risk of abnormal heart rhythms
.
What is the best medicine for rheumatic heart disease?
The antibiotic treatment that is most effective in preventing further infection is
benzathine penicillin G
, which is given by intramuscular injection every 3-4 weeks over many years.
