Rheumatic Heart Disease

100 years ago Rheumatic fever was the leading cause of death in people aged 5-20 years in the United States. Entire hospitals were dedicated to the treatment of rheumatic fever in children. Today Rheumatic heart disease is rarely seen industrialized countries do to the proper diagnosis and treatment of strep throat.

Rheumatic fever occurs when an untreated strep throat infection migrates to the the rest of the body. Rheumatic fever affects the joints and heart, causing fever, muscle aches, and possible permanent heart valve damage (Rheumatic heart disease). Rheumatic fever gets its name because one of its main symptoms is actually pain in the joints rather than the heart. Rheumatic fever primarily affects children between ages 6 and 15 years and occurs approximately 20 days after an onset of a strep throat infection.

It is believed that rheumatic heart disease is responsible for 79% of some type of heart valve disease in adults in the United States with the balance believed to be the result of the recreational use of Amphetamines, Cocaine, Methamphetamine, Ecstasy and other drugs along with other heart related diseases such as atherosclerosis and birth defects.

Rheumatic heart disease is the most serious complication of rheumatic fever and chronic rheumatic heart disease is estimated to exist in 5-30 million children and young adults in the poorer countries of the world. The best defense against rheumatic heart disease is to prevent rheumatic fever from ever occurring with the proper use of anti-inflammatory medications such as aspirin or corticosteroids.

If rheumatic fever has been diagnosed then long term use of low dose antibiotics (such as penicillin, sulfadiazine, or erythromycin) will be need to prevent recurrence. There is no cure for the disease and patients may need to maintain an active treatment for the rest of the patient's life.

The National Institute of Health estimate that rheumatic heart disease develops in about 3% of untreated strep throat infections in the United States. A doctor will need to perform lab tests to diagnose rheumatic fever if any of the following symptoms develope after the onset of a strep throat infections. Fever, irregular heart beat, nodes under the skin, and physical pain usually in the joints.

Today Australia and New Zealand have reported an unexplained jump in the number of cases among some populations with little or no access to health care. Switzerland calls rheumatic fever a disease born of poverty. Rheumatic heart disease is easily prevented by a good strep throat treatment, many young people of the world do not have access to the health care that would keep their heart valves healthy and extend their lives. Patients simply suffer through fever attacks, and fall victim to heart valve failure later in life.

Rheumatic fever can be managed with the proper antibiotics and with the use of common Vitamins and over the counter product to reduce further damage to the heart muscle, a long and healthy life can be maintained. Common products include Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Sytrinol, Pantothenic Acid, Niacin, Policosanol and Antioxidants..... Rheumatic Heart Disease ...Continue