❤️ Rheumatic Heart Disease (RHD)
Rheumatic Heart Disease is a condition resulting from damage to the heart valves caused by rheumatic fever, which itself is a complication of untreated or poorly treated Group A streptococcal throat infection (strep throat).
🧬 Causes:
- An autoimmune response triggered by strep throat infection
- Inflammation damages heart valves, especially mitral and aortic valves
- Repeated or severe episodes of rheumatic fever increase risk of RHD
🩺 Symptoms:
- Shortness of breath
- Fatigue and weakness
- Chest pain or discomfort
- Swelling in legs or abdomen (due to heart failure)
- Heart palpitations or irregular heartbeat
- Symptoms of prior rheumatic fever: fever, joint pain, rash
🔍 Diagnosis:
- Medical history (past rheumatic fever, sore throat)
- Physical exam detecting heart murmurs
- Echocardiogram to assess valve damage
- Blood tests for markers of past streptococcal infection
💊 Treatment:
- Long-term antibiotics (usually penicillin) to prevent recurrent infections
- Medications to manage heart failure or arrhythmias if present
- Surgery to repair or replace damaged heart valves in severe cases
- Regular follow-up to monitor heart function
⚠️ Complications:
- Heart valve stenosis or regurgitation
- Heart failure
- Increased risk of stroke
- Infective endocarditis (infection of heart lining)