Rheumatic Heart Disease

The onset of rheumatic fever can interrupt the functioning of some important organs such as the heart. It can lead to rheumatic heart disease, a condition marked by the failure of the valves housed within the heart. The heart is primarily a four-chambered organ and these chambers are separated with the aid of valves (bicuspid and tricuspid). The blood flows from the auricles to the ventricles through these valves! Improper functioning of these valves in a timely fashion can lead to fatal consequences. The number of fatalities occurring because of rheumatic heart diseases is on the rise.

Infection of the throat by a particular type of bacterium is the primary cause of rheumatic fever. If untreated, the infection might begin to spread to the neighboring organs - the heart is also thus affected. The condition is commonly seen in children and teenagers; the chance of an adult contracting this bacterium remains at 20 percent. The infection acts in a particular manner marked by the inflammation and disintegration of the various connective tissues found within the body.

How does the bacterium affect the functioning of the heart? The inflammation of the valves forces the heart to pump at vigorous rates. This is particularly harmful and can give rise to a set of symptoms. The palpitation of the heart is the primary symptom. Palpitation is nothing but the irregular or rapid functioning of the heart. This is followed by pain in the chest and the related regions. Due to inefficient pumping of blood, the patient might experience dizziness and shortness of breath. The lack of oxygen-enriched blood will lead to fatigue and loss of consciousness. Most of the heart diseases have similar symptoms and hence, you must opt for an appropriate form of treatment upon the first occurrence of any one of the above-mentioned symptoms.

In most cases, the patents fail to turn up for treatment. They tend to ignore the symptoms and this will initiate a chain reaction within the body. Only during the advanced stages, they will be aware of the complications. However, there is no respite apart from surgical procedures. Certain physicians might recommend the patient not to indulge in activities that cause bodily exertion. The damaged valves will deteriorate when exerted! Doctors prescribe medications that control the blood pressure. One of the best and effective manners to control rheumatic heart disease is to prevent its occurrence - by seeking timely medical aid!

You must have a good understanding about the rheumatic heart disease symptoms. As mentioned earlier, there are treatment procedures for this condition. Hence, if diagnosed at an early stage, there are chances of complete or partial recovery. The advanced stages of the disease can lead to heart failures and heart attacks. The presence of a robust immunity system will also help in not contracting the bacterium. Aspirin is an effective medication that will help in reducing the inflammation levels in the connective tissues. The abuse or overuse of antibiotics can diminish the inherent robustness of the immunity system. Hence exercise moderation while administering such medications.