AHMEDNAGAR HOMEOPATHIC MEDICAL

COLLEGE AND HOSPITAL.

DEPARTMENT OF MEDICINE

SEMINAR ON
Rheumatic heart disease
PRESENTED BY

MISS WAGH POOJA MALHARI

GUIEDED BY

DR.J.TAMBE [HOD] DR.S.PAWAR[PRINCIPAL]

DEFINATION
Rheumatic heart disease is a condition in which the heart
valves have been permanently damaged by rheumatic
fever. The heart valve damage may start shortly after
untreated or under-treated streptococcal infection such as
strep throat or scarlet fever. An immune response causes
an inflammatory condition in the body which can result in
on-going valve damage.

causes rheumatic heart disease

Rheumatic heart disease is caused by rheumatic fever, an
inflammatory disease that can affect many connective
tissues, especially in the heart, joints, skin, or brain. The
heart valves can be inflamed and become scarred over
time. This can result in narrowing or leaking of the heart
valve making it harder for the heart to function normally.
This may take years to develop and can result in heart
failure.

Rheumatic fever can occur at any age, but usually occurs

in children ages 5 to 15 years old. It’s rare in developed
countries like the United States.

Risk Factors of rheumatic heart disease

Untreated or under-treated strep infections can increase
the risk for rheumatic heart disease. Children who get
repeated strep throat infections are at the most risk for
rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease
symptoms of rheumatic heart disease
A recent history of strep infection or rheumatic fever is key
to the diagnosis of rheumatic heart disease. Symptoms of
rheumatic fever vary and typically begin 1 to 6 weeks after
a bout of strep throat. In some cases, the infection may
have been too mild to have been recognized, or it may be
gone by the time the person sees a doctor.

These are the most common symptoms of rheumatic

fever:

 Fever

 Swollen, tender, red and extremely painful joints —

particularly the knees and ankles

 Nodules (lumps under the skin)

 Red, raised, lattice-like rash, usually on the chest, back, and

abdomen

 Shortness of breath and chest discomfort

 Uncontrolled movements of arms, legs, or facial muscles

 Weakness

Symptoms of rheumatic heart disease depend on the

degree of valve damage and may include:
 Shortness of breath (especially with activity or when lying
down)

 Chest pain

 Swelling

 Chest pain.
 Heart palpitations.
 Swollen ankles, wrists, and stomach.
 Excessive fatigue.
 Thumping sensation in chest.
 Diagnosis
People with rheumatic heart disease will have or recently
had a strep infection. A throat culture or blood test may be
used to check for strep.

They may have a murmur or rub that may be heard during

a routine physical exam. The murmur is caused by the
blood leaking around the damages valve. The rub is
caused when the inflamed heart tissues move or rub
against each other.

Along with a complete medical history and physical

exam, tests used to diagnose rheumatic heart disease
may include:

 Echocardiogram (echo). This test uses sound waves to check

the heart's chambers and valves. The echo sound waves create
a picture on a screen as an ultrasound transducer is passed
over the skin overlying the heart. Echo can show damage to
the valve flaps, backflow of blood through a leaky valve, fluid
around the heart, and heart enlargement. It’s the most useful
test for diagnosing heart valve problems.
 Electrocardiogram (ECG). of the heart. It shows abnormal
rhythms (arrhythmias or dysrhythmias) and can sometimes
detect heart muscle damage. Small sensors are taped to your
skin to pick up the electrical activity.
 Chest X-ray. An X-ray may be done to check This test
records the strength and timing of the electrical activity your
lungs and see if your heart is enlarged.
Cardiac MRI. This is an imaging test that takes detailed
pictures of the heart. It may be used to get a more precise
look at the heart valves and heart muscle.
Blood tests. Certain blood tests may be used to look for
infection and inflammation.
Treatment
Treatment depends in large part on how much damage
has been done to the heart valves. In severe cases,
treatment may include surgery to replace or repair a badly
damaged valve.

The best treatment is to prevent rheumatic fever.

Antibiotics can usually treat strep infections and keep
rheumatic fever from developing. Anti-inflammatory drugs
may be used to reduce inflammation and lower the risk of
heart damage. Other medicines may be needed to
manage heart failure.

People who have had rheumatic fever are often given

daily or monthly antibiotic treatments, possibly for life, to
prevent recurrent infections and lower the risk of further
heart damage. To reduce inflammation, aspirin, steroids,
or non-steroidal medicines may be given.
 complications of rheumatic heart disease

Some complications of rheumatic heart disease include:

 Heart failure. This can occur from either a severely narrowed
or leaking heart valve.
 Bacterial endocarditis. This is an infection of the inner
lining of the heart, and may occur when rheumatic fever has
damaged the heart valves.
 Complications of pregnancy and delivery due to heart
damage.Women with rheumatic heart disease should discuss
their condition with their healthcare provider before getting
pregnant.
 Ruptured heart valve. This is a medical emergency that
must be treated with surgery to replace or repair the heart
valve.
HOMOEOPATHIC REMEDIS
ARSENICUM ALBUM 30-- Palpitation , pain and dyspnea. Rheumatic heart of
cigarette smokers and tobacco chewers

AURUM MET 30- Pain in the heart and a feeling as if the heart stopped beating
for two or three seconds. Rheumatism with hypertension

CACTUS GRANDIFLORUS 3X- Pain in the heart with feeling of construction

in it. Vertigo and low blood pressure

RANUNCULUS BULBOSUS Q- 10-15 drops a dose relieves various kinds of

pains and rheumatic pains in the chest walls , in the ribs, sternum, heart, muscular
tissue and shoulder blades when these are worse in cold air and atmospheric changes