All about rheumatic heart disease

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ABOUT DOCTOR
Interventional Cardiologist Apollo Hospitals,
Indore
Dr. Sarita Rao is a Sr. Interventional
Cardiologist at Apollo Hospitals, Indore. She is
the first female Interventional Cardiologist in
Central India. She is Fellow of American College
of Cardiology(FACC) and Fellow of European
Society of Cardiology(FESC)
For OPD Appointments Contact 91
9893925000 OPD Timing at Apollo Hospitals,
Indore 1100 AM to 400 PM Location Apollo
Hospitals, Indore Sector D Rd, Scheme No 74C,
Vijay Nagar, Indore. OPD Timing at Clinic 630
PM to 800 PM Location 303, Third Floor, Vishal
Astra, Opp. Satya Sai School, A.B Road, Indore,
MP.
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All about rheumatic heart disease
Rheumatic heart disease is caused by
Streptococcus pyogenes (group A streptococcus),
which causes a sore throat and is contagious,
like a cold or the flu. Strep throat is a
frequent childhood illness.
The immune system's reaction to repeated strep
infections can lead to inflammation and scarring
of the heart valves in certain people. Rheumatic
fever describes this condition. The inflammation
and scarring of heart valves induced by rheumatic
fever is the etiology of rheumatic heart disease.
Who is at risk of developing rheumatic fever?
Rheumatic fever is more common in young children
and teenagers with an untreated case of strep.
Heart damage symptoms may not appear until years
after the initial infection and fever have
subsided.
Signs and symptoms of rheumatic heart disease?
Rheumatic heart disease can only be identified if
the patient has recently experienced strep
infection or rheumatic fever. Rheumatic fever is
characterized by a wide range of symptoms that
commonly appear anywhere from 1 week to 6 weeks
after a strep throat has cleared up. There is a
possibility that the illness was either too mild
to be diagnosed or had cleared up by the time the
patient sought medical attention.
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The most typical signs of rheumatic fever are-

• Fever
• Joint discomfort, swelling, redness, and
  tenderness, especially in the knees and ankles.
• Nodules (lumps under the skin)
• Typically appearing across the chest, back, and
  abdomen, a lattice rash is red, elevated, and
  itchy.
• Experiencing difficulty breathing and pain in the
  chest
• The involuntary twitching of muscles anywhere in
  the body or face
• Weakness
• Problems breathing (especially with activity or
  when lying down)
• Pressure in the chest
• Swelling

The diagnosis of rheumatic heart disease is as
follows.
Rheumatic heart disease sufferers either have or
have recently recovered from a strep throat
infection. A doctor may take a throat culture or
draw blood to diagnose strep throat.
They can have a heart murmur or rub that shows up
on a standard checkup. Blood leaks around the
damaged valve, causing a buzz. The rubbing
sensation develops as the inflamed cardiac
tissues move or rub against one another.
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Rheumatic heart disease can be diagnosed using a
combination of tests, including thorough patient
history and physical examination. 
Echocardiogram (echo).
The heart's chambers and valves are evaluated by
sonography in this procedure. When an ultrasound
transducer is moved across the patient's chest,
an image is formed on a screen thanks to the
reflected sound waves. Valve flap damage, blood
leaking via a leaky valve, fluid accumulation
around the heart, and cardiac enlargement are all
conditions that can see. The test is the gold
standard for detecting issues with heart valves.
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Electrocardiogram (ECG).
The intensity and rhythm of the heart's
electrical activity are both measured by this
test. It displays irregular heartbeats
(arrhythmias and dysrhythmias) and can sometimes
reveal cardiac muscle injury. To detect
electrical activity, little sensors are attached
to the skin.
Examining the chest using radiation.
The doctor may order an X-ray to check for lung
and heart enlargement. An MRI of the Heart. The
heart is imaged during this procedure. This
method can examine the heart's valves and muscles
with greater clarity. Diagnostics involving the
blood. Specific blood tests can detect infection
and inflammation.
How do doctors deal with rheumatic heart disease?
The severity of cardiac valve damage is a
significant consideration in treatment. Surgery
to replace or repair a severely damaged valve is
an option in cases of severe treatment.
Rheumatic fever is best treated by avoiding it in
the first place. Strep infections and the
subsequent rheumatic fever may typically be
treated with antibiotics. Inflammation can
increase the risk of heart damage
anti-inflammatory medicines may be used to lessen
this risk. Heart failure treatment may also
involve the use of other medications.
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Antibiotics are given to people who have had
rheumatic fever daily or monthly, sometimes for
the rest of their lives, to prevent the
recurrence of infections and reduce the risk of
further heart damage. Aspirin, steroids, or
non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
may treat inflammation.
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If you are suffering from heart disease and
looking for best cardiologist in Indore, then
visit Apollo Hospital. Dr. Sarita Rao is a Top
cardiologist in Indore who is providing treatment
of Heart diseases at Apollo Hospital since many
years. For appointment call on 91 9893925000
or visit our site for more details -
https//drsaritaraocardiologist.com/
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