Rheumatic heart disease results from rheumatic fever that can occur when a strep throat or other Streptococcus bacterial infections worsens and is left untreated or not treated effectively. This disease is most common in children, and can lead to permanent heart damage.
Epidemiology
The Children's Hospital of Wisconsin notes that rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease is no longer common in the United States. However, it can still occur in children from the ages of 5 to 15 years, particularly if they are prone to frequent strep throat infections. In the developing world, rheumatic heart disease is most commonly responsible for heart-related deaths in individuals under the age of 50.
Heart Damage
Rheumatic fever is an inflammatory disease that can lead to damage of the connective tissues in the joints, brain, heart and other areas of the body. Rheumatic heart disease occurs when this infection scars the valves of the heart. The damage to the heart forces the heart to work harder in order to pump blood throughout the body.
Rheumatic Fever Symptoms
The symptoms of a rheumatic fever can be mistaken for other conditions or health problems; a doctor can make a correct diagnosis. The symptoms of rheumatic fever, which leads to rheumatic heart disease, typically appear 1 to 5 weeks after a Streptococcus bacterial infection. The Children's Hospital of Wisconsin list symptoms that include fever, fatigue, joint inflammation and swelling, small, hard nodules under the skin, jerky movements, stomach pain and a pink rash that is usually seen on the trunk, arms and legs.
Rheumatic Heart Disease
If the rheumatic fever has caused damage to the heart, symptoms of rheumatic heart disease can eventually arise. In severe cases, congestive heart failure can occur due to damage to one or more heart valves. In heart failure, the heart is unable to effectively pump blood out, resulting in fluid building up in the lungs and body tissues. This leads to symptoms of edema, or swelling and fluid retention, difficulty breathing and shortness of breath. The American Heart Association notes that symptoms of heart valve damage include chest pain, a fluttering or rapid heart beat, and heart murmurs.
Prevention
Rheumatic heart disease is a lifelong condition, and the best defense against heart damage is to prevent a Streptococcus bacterial infection from progressing to rheumatic fever. The American Heart Association recommends treatment for known strep infections using penicillin and other antibiotics as prescribed by a doctor.
Treatment
The American Heart Association warns that rheumatic heart disease can worsen and may be fatal if left untreated. Children that develop rheumatic heart disease are usually treated with anti-inflammatory and antibiotic medications to prevent heart damage. If heart damage does occur, treatment typically involves medication to control heart congestion and other symptoms. In some cases, valve damage may require heart surgery to repair or replace one or more valve.
