Rheumatic heart disease is inflammation and damage to the heart
muscle and heart valves that develops as a result of rheumatic fever.
Rheumatic heart disease is a condition in which permanent damage to
heart valves is caused by rheumatic fever. The heart valve is damaged by
a disease process that generally begins with a strep throat caused by
bacteria called Streptococcus, and may eventually cause rheumatic fever.
Rheumatic Fever
Rheumatic
fever is uncommon in the US, except in children who have had strep
infections that were untreated or inadequately treated. Children ages 5
to 15, particularly if they experience frequent strep throat infections,
are most at risk for developing rheumatic fever. The infection often
causes heart damage, particularly scarring of the heart valves, forcing
the heart to work harder to pump blood. The damage may resolve on its
own, or it may be permanent, eventually causing congestive heart failure
(a condition in which the heart cannot pump out all of the blood that
enters it, which leads to an accumulation of blood in the vessels
leading to the heart and fluid in the body tissues).
Rheumatic Heart Disease Symptoms
The
symptoms of rheumatic fever usually start about one to five weeks after
your child has been infected with Streptococcus bacteria. The following
are the most common symptoms of rheumatic fever. However, each child
may experience symptoms differently. Symptoms may include:
- Joint inflammation - including swelling, tenderness,
and redness over multiple joints. The joints affected are usually the
larger joints in the knees or ankles. The inflammation "moves" from one
joint to another over several days.
- Small nodules or hard, round bumps under the skin.
-
A change in your child's neuromuscular movements (this is usually noted
by a change in your child's handwriting and may also include jerky
movements).
- Rash (a pink rash with odd edges that is usually seen on the trunk of the body or arms and legs).
- Fever.
- Weight loss.
- Fatigue.
- Stomach pains.
The symptoms of rheumatic fever may resemble other
conditions or medical problems. Always consult your child's physician
for a diagnosis.
Treatment for rheumatic heart disease:
Specific treatment for rheumatic heart disease will be determined by your child's physician based on:
Your child's overall health and medical history.
- Extent of the disease.
- Your child's tolerance for specific medications, procedures, or therapies.
- Expectations for the course of the disease.
- Your opinion or preference.
The best treatment for rheumatic heart disease is
prevention. Antibiotics can usually treat strep throat (a Streptococcus
bacterial infection) and stop acute rheumatic fever from developing.
Antibiotic therapy has sharply reduced the incidence and mortality rate
of rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease.
Children
who have previously contracted rheumatic fever are often given
continuous (daily or monthly) antibiotic treatments to prevent future
attacks of rheumatic fever and lower the risk of heart damage.
If
inflammation of the heart has developed, children may be placed on bed
rest. Medications are given to reduce the inflammation, as well as
antibiotics to treat the Streptococcus infection. Other medications may
be necessary to handle congestive heart failure. If heart valve damage
occurs, surgical repair or replacement of the valve may be considered.
