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Symptoms Of Rheumatic Heart Disease

Untreated strep throat can lead to rheumatic fever, a condition that affects all the joints and organs of the body, including the heart. Rheumatic heart disease can be a life-threatening result of a poorly treated strep infection and most often affects children ages 5 to 15.

  1. Considerations

    • Some children with rheumatic heart disease may not exhibit any symptoms once a past infection has affected their circulatory system, according to the Seattle Children's Hospital.

    Joint pain and inflammation

    • Lasting joint pain and inflammation are common with rheumatic fever but may also indicate rheumatic heart disease.

    Breathing problems

    • Shortness of breath, especially when engaging in activity or lying down, could indicate the heart valve abnormalities that some people with rheumatic heart disease develop, according to the Seattle Children's Hospital.

    Chest pain and swelling

    • Sometimes the heart's muscle wall or the thin sac surrounding the heart becomes inflamed in those who suffer from rheumatic heart disease. This causes chest pain and swelling.

    Rheumatic fever symptoms

    • Rheumatic fever symptoms include weight loss, stomach ache, jerky movements and rashes.

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