Rheumatic Heart Disease (RHD)

Overview

rhd-1.webp
rhd-2.webp
rhd-3.webp

Rheumatic Heart Disease is a chronic condition caused by rheumatic fever, which damages the heart valves. It primarily affects children and young adults, especially in regions with limited access to healthcare.

It primarily affects children and young adults, especially in regions with limited access to healthcare.

Consult with experienced Cardiology

At TRSCH, world-renowned medical pioneers converge to redefine excellence. Our distinguished specialists, having unmatched expertise for compassionate care, are ever-ready to address your health concerns. Consult our Cardiology today!

Symptoms
  • Heart Murmur: Abnormal heart sounds.
  • Shortness of Breath: Often with exertion or when lying flat.
  • Fatigue: Persistent tiredness due to poor heart function.
  • Chest Pain or Discomfort
  • Swelling: Particularly in the legs, ankles, or abdomen.
  • Palpitations: Rapid or irregular heartbeats.
  • Syncope: Fainting episodes.
  • Reduced exercise capacity
Complications
  • Heart Failure: The damaged valves can make it hard for the heart to pump blood efficiently.
  • Infective Endocarditis: Damaged valves increase the risk of infection in the heart.
  • Arrhythmias: Irregular heartbeats, particularly atrial fibrillation, due to valve damage.
  • Stroke: Blood clots formed in the heart can travel to the brain.
  • Pulmonary Hypertension: Increased pressure in the lungs' arteries due to heart valve issues.
  • Valve Stenosis or Regurgitation: Narrowing (stenosis) or leaking (regurgitation) of heart valves.
Causes
  • Rheumatic Fever: RHD is caused by repeated episodes of rheumatic fever, which is a complication of a group A streptococcal infection (such as strep throat or scarlet fever). The body’s immune response to the infection mistakenly attacks heart tissue, leading to inflammation and long-term damage to the heart valves.
Prevention
  • Primary Prevention: Prompt treatment of strep throat infections with antibiotics (like penicillin) to prevent the development of rheumatic fever. Improved living conditions and sanitation in high-risk areas to reduce the spread of streptococcal infections.
  • Secondary Prevention: Prophylactic antibiotics: Long-term antibiotics to prevent recurrent strep infections and further heart damage in individuals who have had rheumatic fever.
  • Regular Medical Follow-ups: Monitoring the condition to detect valve damage early.
Risk Factors
  • History of Rheumatic Fever: The most significant risk factor.
  • Repeated Strep Throat Infections: Particularly untreated or poorly managed cases.
  • Living in Overcrowded, Poor, or Unsanitary Conditions: Higher risk of streptococcal infections.
  • Lack of Access to Medical Care: Delays in treating infections can increase the risk.
  • Age: Most commonly affects children between 5 and 15 years old.
  • Genetic Predisposition: Some families may be more prone to developing rheumatic fever or its complications.
Ailments Image

How is it treated?

Medications

  • Antibiotics: To treat strep infections and prevent recurrence (prophylactic penicillin).
  • Anti-inflammatory Drugs: Such as aspirin or corticosteroids to reduce inflammation during acute rheumatic fever episodes.
  • Diuretics and ACE Inhibitors: To manage heart failure symptoms by reducing fluid retention and blood pressure.
  • Anticoagulants: To prevent blood clots in patients with valve damage or atrial fibrillation.
  • Surgery: In severe cases, surgical interventions may be needed to repair or replace damaged heart valves.
  • Valve Repair: Preferred when feasible to preserve the patient’s own valve.
  • Valve Replacement: Using mechanical or biological (tissue) valves if the damage is too severe to repair.
icon

How is it Diagnosed?

Rheumatic heart disease (RHD) is diagnosed based on a history of acute rheumatic fever (ARF), clinical signs, echocardiography, and laboratory investigations. It commonly follows untreated or inadequately treated streptococcal pharyngitis.

Diagnosis starts with patient history including recurrent sore throats, fever, joint pains, and chorea. Clinical evaluation may reveal murmurs, signs of heart failure, or arrhythmias.

    The revised Jones Criteria is pivotal for diagnosing ARF, which may lead to RHD. It includes major criteria (carditis, arthritis, chorea, subcutaneous nodules, erythema marginatum) and minor criteria (fever, elevated ESR/CRP, prolonged PR interval). Supporting evidence of recent Group A Streptococcus (GAS) infection includes:

  • Positive throat culture or rapid antigen test
  • Elevated antistreptolysin-O (ASO) or anti-DNase B titers
  • Echocardiography with Doppler is the cornerstone for diagnosing RHD. It can reveal mitral or aortic valve thickening, regurgitation, stenosis, or calcification. Subclinical carditis can also be identified in asymptomatic individuals through echo findings.
  • Electrocardiogram (ECG) may show prolonged PR interval or arrhythmias such as atrial fibrillation. Chest X-ray can indicate cardiomegaly or pulmonary congestion in cases of heart failure.
  • Regular screening using echocardiography in endemic areas helps in early detection and secondary prevention. Serological markers help confirm recent GAS infection, while clinical and echocardiographic evidence defines disease severity.

Our Patient’s Stories

All services are good. All staff are good. Special thanks to Doctor, Nursing and Housekeeping. A special thanks to Geeta Rajpal Madam.

Read More

Payal Madan

Our Patient’s Stories

Dr. Anand Tyagi Surgeon is very intelligent and his behaviour is very good. Tirath Ram Shah is Nice hospital.

Read More

Pravin Solanki

Our Patient’s Stories

I was admitted in the Hospital on May 5. I was discharged yesterday. I am so obliged to you, Mam I express my thanks and gratitude for the help and support.

Read More

Deepika Mauria

Our Patient’s Stories

We Sincerely Thanks the Management and Staff of Tirath Ram Shah Hospital, Civil Lines New Delhi. Dr. DK Singh, Dr. Anjali, Dr. Shiva (the treating doctors). We came to hospital with 90% lung damage and with 30% oxygen level only, of our mother who is 78 yrs old.

Read More

Divya Sood

Our Patient’s Stories

Dear Mrs. Rajpal, I’ve been meaning to write this letter since the day I got back from the hospital, for a few days now, but have been trying to find a little quiet space in my mind to get this right. Things at home have been so stressful with my fathers illness and then my grandmother’s, that I only got to this letter now, 5:00 am this morning.

Read More

Ashutosh

Our Patient’s Stories

Dr. Kriti and Dr.Soma has done my treatment really well. Very happy and satisfied with the treatment would love to visit again for the further follow up. Highly recommended.

Read More

Akshay Rana

Our Patient’s Stories

Dr. Kriti Baweja and Dr.Soma was very polite and professional.I was explained everything in details, cleaning and polishing was done smoothly. I highly recommend them. Thank you so much Doctors.

Read More

Chirag Sood

Our Patient’s Stories

I have twins. Dr. Payal Modi's support and diagnosis have been great. She has been very supportive for 9 months. She is no less than God for me.

Read More

Abhay Sharma

Our Patient’s Stories

Staff is supportive and caring. Good medical facilities. Proper treatment provided.

Read More

Laxmi Dhanda

Our Patient’s Stories

We are satisfied with the facilitie . hospital staff and doctors are so helpful. thanks to vikas ji for the support.

Read More

Mahesh

Our Patient’s Stories

Regarding my treatment (of GBS) in this hospital, I would like to express my gratitude towards Dr A. Rohatgi, Dr Ali n others for the treatment they gave me when I was paralysed And the nursing staff - the senior as well as junior sisters were encouraging n helpful. And the ward boys were so supportive. I remember about Tribhuvan, n sisters madam Cicily, Anju, Bincy, Usha etc. in the ward sisters Sonia, Martina, Kavita, Gudiya too took care of me diligently.

I’m ever grateful for this hospital’s kind n dutiful staff

Read More

Jaywant Singh

Our Patient’s Stories

Best maternity hospital....Dr. Nishi Makhija is my doctor for both the deliveries...n she is world's best doctor .....Thanks Tirath ram hospital for the beautiful lifetime memories....

Read More

Harleen Khurana

Our Patient’s Stories

Good morning Dr. Thank you for your support for arrangement of bed for me at your hospital in such a tough time.

Read More

Sunil Kumar Sharma

Our Patient’s Stories

Good morning. Thank you very much for your help and support for the treatment of my sister Mrs. Susheelamma Simon (Ex. Sr. PPS to Secretary, health & family welfare, Government of India.)

Read More

Sunil Chacko

Our Patient’s Stories

I came in this hospital for my dental treatment I have got it done by Dr kriti baweja .she is very humble and kind to me as she gives me the time of coming according to my preferences And she handles me very patiently .she gives her best to my teeth with all her hardwork. She is also very friendly in nature .I am really so thankful to her

Read More

Puneet Sharma

FAQs

With proper treatment, including regular medical care and possibly surgery, many people can live a relatively normal life. However, the prognosis varies depending on the severity of valve damage and access to healthcare.

While the heart valve damage caused by rheumatic heart disease is often permanent, the progression of the disease can be managed, and the symptoms treated. Surgical repair or replacement of damaged valves can improve quality of life.

Rheumatic heart disease itself is not contagious, but the group A streptococcal infections (like strep throat) that lead to it are highly contagious.

No, RHD always follows rheumatic fever. Rheumatic fever is the precursor to valve damage in RHD.

It is diagnosed through a combination of medical history (including past rheumatic fever), physical exam findings, and imaging tests like echocardiograms to assess valve damage.

The heart damage from RHD is usually permanent, but children can lead normal lives with early intervention and regular medical care. Antibiotic prophylaxis and careful monitoring are key to preventing further damage.

Rheumatic fever is an acute inflammatory disease that can develop after a strep infection, while rheumatic heart disease is the long-term damage to the heart valves that occurs after repeated or severe episodes of rheumatic fever.

It is more common in areas with poor healthcare access, overcrowded living conditions, and limited resources to treat strep infections early, which allows rheumatic fever to develop and progress to RHD.

Yes, secondary prevention using long-term antibiotic prophylaxis can prevent further strep infections, reducing the risk of worsening heart valve damage.

Regular follow-ups with a cardiologist are essential. The frequency depends on the severity of the disease but typically ranges from every 6 months to annually, or more frequently if symptoms worsen.

Subscribe with us

Copyright 2025 TRSCH - All Rights Reserve

Website Design and Development by Sterco Digitex

Subscribe with us

Copyright 2025 TRSCH - All Rights Reserve

Website Design and Development by Sterco Digitex

Book an Appointment

icon
Find A Doctor

With country's leading experts