Rheumatic heart disease is a medical condition characterized by significant damage to the valves of the heart due to a case of rheumatic fever. This disease is caused by the Streptococcus bacteria, which can cause a severe case of strep throat. If the case of strep throat is not treated properly, then the patient may develop rheumatic fever, which can then lead to rheumatic heart disease. Medication for this disease focuses on eradicating the bacteria and reducing the chances for further infection.
Penicillin
Penicillin is one of the drugs commonly used to treat rheumatic heart disease and rheumatic fever. Penicillin is an antibiotic that prevents the bacteria from forming a stable cell wall. Without this cell wall the bacteria are unable to reproduce and the patient's immune system can destroy the infection. Penicillin G and Penicillin V are the more common kinds of penicillin used in rheumatic heart disease. These antibiotics are used to fight off the infection and prevent further infection from occurring. In children recovering from rheumatic fever, penicillin therapy may be used for years afterward to protect the patient from rheumatic heart disease.
Aspirin
Patients with rheumatic heart disease may be given aspirin as part of the treatment for their disease, reports the UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital. Patients with rheumatic heart disease often develop inflammation. Aspirin is used to treat the inflammation that occurs within the heart and joints. Aspirin is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, or NSAID, that drastically reduces the inflammation caused by the disease. Reduced inflammation usually correlates with less damage to the heart tissue and valves.
Erythromycin
Erythromycin is an antibiotic that is used to treat rheumatic heart disease in patients who are allergic to penicillin, reports the Merck Manuals. Erythromycin is a member of the macrolide antibiotic family and is able to eradicate the bacterial infection without causing an allergic response in patients allergic to penicillin. Erythromycin is given in 250 mg pills twice per day for at least one week. Patients may also take this drug as prophylaxis against further Streptococcus infections.
Diuretics
The inflammation caused by rheumatic heart disease can be treated with medicines classified as diuretics, states the Texas Heart Institute. Diuretics lessen the amounts of water and sodium in the body. In turn, this reduces the swelling and other signs of inflammation in the heart. The duration of diuretic treatment depends on the severity of the disease and the overall health of the patient.
Prednisone
Inflammation seen in patients with rheumatic heart disease can be treated with prednisone. Prednisone is a type of corticosteroid that is routinely used to treat bouts of cardiac inflammation in rheumatic heart disease patients. Prednisone should be used in patients that have persistent inflammation even after aspirin has been administered.
