What are the Causes of Rheumatic Heart Disease?
Rheumatic Fever Strep throat, left untreated, can develop into rheumatic fever. It is an inflammatory illness that can affect your heart, joints, brain and skin. It is more common among children between the ages of 5 and 15. About 2 to 3 weeks after untreated strep throat first begins, signs of rheumatic fever may appear. Symptoms include fever, fatigue, intermittently swollen and red joints, chest pain and brief skin rashes. Rheumatic Heart Disease Rheumatic heart disease is caused during the course of the rheumatic fever, when your heart valves may be damaged. The valve may not open or close properly or becomes stiff and narrow. If you had rheumatic fever you are at higher risk of recurring heart attacks, infections of your heart’s lining or valves and further damage. You also have a higher risk of congestive heart failure, stroke or abnormal heart rhythm. Prevention and Care The best way to prevent rheumatic heart disease is to treat strep throat with antibiotics, thereby preventing
According to the American Heart Association, rheumatic heart disease isn’t so much of a disease as it is a complication. When someone gets rheumatic fever, it tends to inflame the connective tissue in the body. Nowhere is this more severe than in the heart. Rheumatic fever can damage the heart valves that pump blood through the heart. The condition, once present, can last a lifetime.
