Rheumatic heart disease is the most common heart disease gotten by children and younger adult, and mostly unnoticed until it becomes late due to its associates with strep throat infections and Rheumatic fever. It usually occurs 10-20 years after the initial illness and usually neglected in older adult due to its incidence related to other heart diseases.
Rheumatic heart disease (RHD) is a condition in which one or more heart valves have been damaged permanently due to rheumatic fever, and can result in heart failure or even death if left untreated. The damaged heart valves happens after many incidence of acute rheumatic fever (ARF) which is caused by untreated, under-treated or repeated strep throat bacterial infections called group A Streptococcus.
Causes of rheumatic heart disease
Rheumatic heart disease is caused by rheumatic fever, an inflammatory disease that affects many connective tissues, especially in the heart, joints, skin, or brain. The inflammation often causes heart damage, particularly scarring of the heart valves, forcing the heart to work harder to pump blood.
Signs & Symptoms of Rheumatic Heart Disease
- Chest pain ordiscomfort
- Getting tired easily
- Palpitations
- Shortness of breath (especially with activity or when lying down)
- Swelling of the feet
- Fainting
- Fever if the damaged heart valves get infected
The Major Sign:
Carditis: This is an early manifestation of rheumatic heart disease and also dangerous. Carditis means inflammation of heart muscle involving all the three layers i.e. pericardium, myocardium & endocardium. Pericarditis causes the chest pain which is one of the symptoms of rheumatic heart disease. Carditis ultimately leads to congestive cardiac failure and enlargement of the heart.
Complications of Rheumatic Heart Disease
- Heart failure which ultimately leads to enlargement of the heart (cardiomegaly).
- Infection of damaged heart valves (infective endocarditis). This could result in serious consequence.
- Blood clots may be formed on the damaged heart valves which can break off and travel into blood vessels of the brain thereby causing stroke.
- Atrial fibrillation
These are the common complications of rheumatic heart disease that leads to premature morbidity and mortality.
The Goodnews!?
The good news is that rheumatic heart disease is preventable and reversible, but can only be possible by using holistic approach, the one advocated in Ayurveda that addresses the issues from the very root.
Since ancient times, Ayurveda has defined all cardiac diseases with their symptoms, causes and healing methods with nature. These are diseases that damages the heart and blood vessels.
If you are having any of the above mentioned symptoms, don’t assume it is Rheumatic Heart Disease yet without any proper diagnosis because there are other heart related disease that comes with the same symptoms. Consult with a Doctor for accurate diagnosis to find out if Rheumatic Heart Disease is you are having or any other heart related disease.
Vine Health Approach to Heart attack Disease
As a holistic health clinic, we take accurate diagnosis very seriously in order to ascertain the root cause of a particular illness. You will be consulted a doctor to know the type of test or scan to run base on your symptoms to detect exactly the root cause of your issue to ascertain if Rheumatic Heart Disease is your issue or not to ensure appropriate treatment.
Accurate diagnosis is the key to the treatment of any disease.
We can really help you out of your issues!