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What Is Diagnostic Testing for Rheumatic Heart Disease?

Rheumatic heart disease is a condition brought on by rheumatic fever in which the valves of the heart are damaged. Though instances of rheumatic heart disease are relatively rare in the U.S., your doctor may suggest you undergo ceratin diagnostic tests if she suspects you may have it.

  1. Echocardiogram

    • Sometimes called an "echo", an echocardiogram is a device that allows doctors to see pictures of the heart using sound waves. An echocardiogram is very similar to a sonogram.

    Electrocardiogram

    • Sometimes referred to as an EKG, an electrocardiogram measures the electrical impulses of the heart.

    Cardiac Catheterization

    • During this procedure, a small tube is inserted into an artery or vein and moved to the heart. This test can provide information on blood oxygen levels, blood pressure, and the strength of the heart muscle.

    Holter Monitor

    • A Holter monitor is a device attached to the body with small electrode carrying stickers. The monitor records heart activity for 24 hours or more. This test is similar to an EKG, but the recording is undertaken for a longer period of time.

    Considerations

    • Symptoms of rheumatic heart disease can be subtle. It is best to see a doctor to determine what, if any, diagnostic tests should be performed.

    Warning

    • Rheumatic fever begins as strep throat, a bacterial infection of the throat. Children between the ages of five and 15 are most likely to get rhuematic fever. Note that the incidence of rheumatic fever in the U.S. and other developed countries is low.

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