Types of Rheumatic Heart Disease

Types of Rheumatic Heart Disease

The most common form of rheumatic heart disease is rheumatic heart disease (RHD) that develops after a person has had a strep throat infection called acute rheumatic fever (ARF). People who have had a strep throat infection or scarlet fever more than twice can be at risk for developing rheumatic heart disease.

Most cases of rheumatic heart disease are caused by inflammation of the mitral or aortic valves in the heart, but the inflammation can also damage the muscle or outer membrane of the heart as well. This can cause blood to leak backward into the heart or not flow out of the heart properly, causing heart failure.





medical alert systems australia Affected hearts may also have abnormal heart rhythms, such as atrial fibrillation, which can lead to strokes or blood clots. alert alarms for elderly Anticoagulants, or medications that thin the blood, are sometimes used to reduce the risk of these complications.

In some countries, rheumatic heart disease can be hard to diagnose and treat. The disease is usually discovered after a person has had a rheumatic fever, and doctors may not have access to the necessary medical care or diagnostic tools to make an accurate diagnosis.

Those who live in rheumatic heart disease-endemic countries have less access to the life-saving heart valve surgery they need, and those costs can be high if not covered by national health plans. These are often unaffordable for low-income families and can leave them unable to pay for treatment.