How To Prevent Rheumatic Heart Disease

Rheumatic heart disease is a condition that affects the heart and the valves that control blood flow, usually caused by one or several episodes of rheumatic fever. Heart valves play an essential role in our cardiovascular system by helping pump blood through the heart's chambers with each beat.

However, when RHD has damaged these valves, they cannot open and close properly, which then causes blood to flow in the wrong direction. When this occurs, it prevents the heart from being able to pump blood efficiently and eventually leads to stroke, lifelong disability, or even death by heart failure.

Recent research shows that RHD also affects developing countries. However, the good news is that it is preventable and can be cured through medication and surgery.

What are the causes of rheumatic Heart Disease?

Rheumatic heart disease is an autoimmune disease caused by a bacterial infection. The Streptococci bacteria (strep germs) attack your immune system and cause strep infection or scarlet fever. Repeated strep infections can lead to rheumatic fever, which occurs when the immune system reacts against the body's tissues. It produces inflammation all over the body, including the heart valves. A minor negligence in the treatment may result in severe damage to heart valves and muscles.

The strep infection is contagious and quickly spreads from person to person in any way, causing a wide array of manifestations ranging from mild conditions to life-threatening diseases. The leading causes of strep germs are poor hygiene, malnutrition, and a dirty environment.

Who is vulnerable?

Due to poor hygiene conditions and the unavailability of better health care services, RHD disproportionately affects the world’s poorest, most vulnerable populations and imposes high costs on the health systems that can least afford it.

According to the world heart federation (WHF), rheumatic heart disease affects 40 million people globally and claims more than 300,000 lives yearly. It mainly affects children and young adults under 25 years in third-world countries who do not have access to antibiotics and basic health facilities.

Children and teenagers in low to middle-income countries with unhealthy housing, dirty environments, low immunity, and less access to antibiotics and other health-related services are more at risk.

What are the symptoms of rheumatic heart disease (RHD)

RHD starts without symptoms, usually called the asymptomatic or untapped phase. However, doctors or health workers may catch sight of early signs that can go unnoticed by anyone. The early symptoms of RHD are:

Changes in heart rhythm (it is diagnosed through echocardiography)
A slow heartbeat ( this may be observed with a stethoscope)

Other symptoms of rheumatic heart disease may include:

Short breath
Discomfort or pain in the chest
Fatigue (tiredness)
Swelling on hands, feet, or stomach
An irregular or fast heartbeat

You may also consider the rheumatic fever symptoms, which include:

High fever
Moving pain that travels in between joints
Fatigue
Pain in ankles, knees, wrist, and elbow
Convulsive body movement

If you or anyone you know has strep throat, scarlet fever, or any of the symptoms above, it’s essential to get treatment right away. Strep throat or rheumatic fever treatment can help prevent rheumatic heart disease from developing.

What is the treatment of rheumatic heart disease?

RHD is easily treated with medication or surgery. Benzathine Penicillin, commonly called Benza, is the most common antibiotic medication used to cure acute renal failure ARF (sudden episode of kidney failure) and RHD.

Benza is given in childhood or adolescence as an injection every 3 to 4 weeks to prevent rheumatic heart disease and keep the heart strong.

Irregular heartbeats or heart failure will also cope with medication. Anticoagulation medication may be introduced to RHD patients to reduce the risk of blood clots.

In some cases of severe RHD, heart surgery may be recommended. Valve replacement and valve repair surgeries are the most common surgeries for advanced rheumatic heart disease.

How can you prevent rheumatic heart disease?

One can effectively prevent rheumatic heart disease through early interventions. Like:

Preventing the strep germ from getting inside our body by maintaining better hygiene.
Keeping surroundings clean.
Living a healthy lifestyle.
You can also prevent episodes of strep throat or rheumatic fever by taking antibiotics.
Never let go of the signs of sore throat, skin rashes, or fever with joint pain; seek medical assistance immediately.
If anyone around you is living with RHD, ask them to get their Benza shorts regularly.

Last words

Rheumatic Heart Disease is a preventable disease. However, many children in emerging countries still suffer from it. The main reason is a lack of awareness. While there are no easy solutions, raising awareness among people would be a great initiative.

Educating them about the link between a sore throat and rheumatic heart disease, how to recognize symptoms, and what to do when they first can help to prevent the disease from taking hold. Share this information with others to help improve awareness and reduce the number of people suffering from this disease.

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