Rheumatic heart disease is a serious health condition that attacks and damages the entire heart including all its membranes. It is usually recognized as one of the complications of rheumatic fever as it usually occurs following a bout of rheumatic fever which mostly results from untreated strep throat.

Rheumatic heart disease is a formerly recognized childhood and adolescence disease whose symptoms include the formation or red latish like rashes on back, abdomen and chest. It is also characterized by uncontrolled legs, arms and facial muscles movements. Victims of rheumatic heart disease may also experience red, tender and swollen joints that are extremely painful. In addition to the above victims may also experience stomach pains, nodules on swollen joints, weight loss, fever, fatigue as well as general body weakness in addition to shortness of breath.

The first step towards diagnosing rheumatic heart disease is for the doctor to establish whether a patient has had any recent strep infection.  This is through ordering a throat culture or else a blood test in order to determine whether there are any strep antibodies in the affected person. In most cases, the chance is that the signs of strep infection might have long disappeared by the time the patient visits the doctor. In such a case, doctors are supposed to inquire on the last time the patient had a sore throat or any other symptoms closely related to strep infection.

The doctor then performs a physical inspection, in order to determine whether the patient has any signs of rheumatic fever. During such an inspection, the doctor usually watches out for joints inflammations, and listens for abnormal rhythms or murmurs in the patient’s heart beat to determine whether the patient’s heart is strained. The doctor can also request chest X-rays in order to inspect the patient’s heart size in addition to any excess fluids in the patient’s lungs and heat. Other than the above, the doctor can also order the patient to get an echo-cardiogram which normally involves the use of sound waves in measuring the shape and size of the patient’s heart.

Once diagnosed with rheumatic heart disease, treatment depends on the individual. To determine the kind of treatment plan to be accorded to a patient, the doctor might look at the patient’s ability to tolerate certain procedures, medications or therapies; the extent of the condition; the patient’s medical history and overall health; his expectations on the course of the disease and the patient’s preference or opinion.

The best treatment that most doctors recommend for rheumatic heart disease is prevention of the main cause (rheumatic fever) of the disease. This is through administering antibiotics like penicillin which are very effective in treating strep throat in addition to the fact that they stop rheumatic fever from developing. For patients who have had past experiences of rheumatic fever, daily or monthly doses of antibiotics are administered.  This can even be for the rest of their lives in order to prevent re-occurrence of rheumatic fever attacks in addition to reducing the risk of damages to the heart. Antibiotic have been very effective in reducing incidences as well as mortality  in cases of rheumatic fever as well as rheumatic heart disease.

Aspirin, steroids and/or non steroid medication is also used in reducing the inflammations caused by rheumatic heart disease. Sometimes, doctor may result to surgery especially when the necessity to replace or repair damaged heart valves is deemed important.