Rheumatic heart disease and heart failure

Rheumatic fever can inflame heart valves. Healing may leave a valve narrowed or leaky, so the heart must pump against altered pressure or move extra blood with each beat. Over time, this can contribute to heart failure, a condition in which the heart cannot meet the body's needs efficiently. Symptoms may include fatigue, cough, breathlessness, palpitations, or swollen ankles. These symptoms are not specific to rheumatic heart disease and may need assessment for other conditions such as hypertension or atrial fibrillation.

Heart failure is a clinical syndrome, not a single feeling. A person may have congestion, reduced exercise tolerance, or changes in heart rhythm, and symptoms can vary from day to day. A valve problem and heart failure may need separate parts of the same care plan.

Arrange a medical review for new or worsening breathlessness, reduced ability to walk or climb, ankle swelling, fatigue, or a racing heartbeat. Assessment may include listening to the heart, checking blood pressure and rhythm, and arranging an echocardiogram or other tests. Take prescribed medicines consistently, record changes in weight or swelling if your clinician recommends it, and attend planned chronic disease reviews. Do not change diuretics or heart medicines without advice.

Get emergency help for severe breathlessness at rest, chest pain, fainting, blue or grey lips, sudden confusion, or rapidly worsening swelling. A new irregular heartbeat with dizziness or breathlessness also needs urgent assessment. Sudden symptoms can have causes other than rheumatic disease, but delay may be unsafe.

Ask which valve is affected, how its function is being monitored, whether the heart is pumping normally, and which symptoms mean your treatment needs review. Discuss activity, salt and fluid advice, rhythm symptoms, infection prevention, and the timing of your next echocardiogram or chronic disease review.