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A major disorder known as rheumatic heart disease (RHD) arises as a side effect of untreated or insufficiently treated rheumatic fever, a streptococcal throat infection. The immune response to the infection can lead to inflammation and scarring of the heart valves, resulting in long-term damage that compromises proper heart function.
The mitral and aortic valves are the most impacted ones; they may get stenosis—a narrowing—or leaky—a regurgitation—which would complicate blood flow. Shortness of breath, tiredness, chest discomfort, irregular heartbeats, and leg oedema define RHD symptoms. Severe forms might cause infective endocarditis, stroke, or cardiac failure.
A medical history review, physical examination, echocardiogram, electrocardiogram (ECG), and blood testing to find past streptococcal infections define the diagnosis. Using antibiotics, anti-inflammatory medicines, and diuretics, the treatment centres on controlling symptoms and preventing more valve damage. Advanced cases could need either replacement or repair of valves.
Mostly early identification and thorough antibiotic treatment of streptococcal throat infections help prevent rheumatic heart disease. Reducing the prevalence of this avoidable but life-threatening disease depends critically on public health awareness, better cleanliness, and medical care access.