Rheumatic heart disease is caused by damage to the heart valves and myocardium resulting from inflammation and scar deformation caused by rheumatic fever, a disease which in turn is caused by streptococci and usually manifests as croup or tonsillitis ( “angina”) in children. Rheumatic fever primarily affects children in developing countries, especially where poverty is widespread. Worldwide, nearly 2% of deaths from cardiovascular disease are related to rheumatic heart disease, while 42% are associated with ischemic heart disease and 34% with cerebrovascular disease.
Symptoms of rheumatic heart disease
* Symptoms of rheumatic heart disease include shortness of breath, fatigue, irregular heartbeat, chest pain and fainting.
* The symptoms of rheumatic fever include fever, joint pain and swelling, abdominal cramps and vomiting.
Treatment of rheumatic heart disease
* Prompt treatment of strep throat can prevent the onset of rheumatic fever. The prolonged and regular treatment with penicillin can prevent repeat attacks of rheumatic fever, rheumatic heart disease cause and stop the disease progression in patients whose heart valves are already damaged.
