Question 1

can you explain the pathophysiology of pneumonia and rheumatic heart disease?

Accepted Answer

Two diff diseases: These are two different diseases. Pneumonia is an infection in the lung that causes fluid to collect within the air spaces (maybe w/in a lobe or more diffuse). Rheumatic heart disease is caused by the body attacking the valves of the heart in response to an untreated/inadequately treated  streptococcal (most often group a) infection ("strep throat" or other).

Question 2

what is most likely to cause rheumatic heart disease?

Accepted Answer

Bacterial infection: Rheumatic heart disease is a complication of a pharyngeal infection with streptococcus (strep throat). It is rare in developed countries due to the wide availability of antibiotics and better hygeine.

Question 3

can rheumatic heart disease take the life of a person?

Accepted Answer

Yes!: Rarely now because the acute disease rx is better, and heart surgery is better for this post-infectious immune arthritis. It can, but far less likely.

Question 4

is asthma caused by rheumatic heart disease?

Accepted Answer

No.: These are totally distinct illnesses.

Question 5

difference between rheumatic fever vs rheumatic heart disease?

Accepted Answer

ARF can cause RHD: Acute rheumatic fever is an immunologic response to a strep infection. It can cause fever, rash, arthritis and can damage the heart. Not everyone who gets acute rheumatic fever get permanent  heart disease. Rheumatic heart disease is due to heart damage from acute rheumatic fever.

Question 6

is mitral stenosis typically the result of rheumatic heart disease?

Accepted Answer

Can be: Rheumatic heart disease is pretty rare these days, due to aggressively treating strep throat with antibiotics. However, it is still the most common cause of mitral stenosis. In general, the causes of mitral stenosis include rheumatic fever, infective endocarditis and just the wear and tear of natural aging.

Question 7

can you please tell me how rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease differ?

Accepted Answer

See below: Rheumatic fever can manifest as rheumatic heart disease, but can also manifest as migratory arthritis, central nervous system issues, a rash and/or subcutaneous nodules. All of these conditions arise a few weeks following an untreated streptococcal infection, when the body produced antibodies that reacts with different parts of the body (e.g. The heart, joints, nervous system, etc.).

Question 8

if you had rheumatic fever what is the chances of rheumatic heart disease later?

Accepted Answer

Up to 50%: About half of individuals who have rheumatic fever with evidence of carditis at presentation will develop significant enough damage to the heart valves to lead to a murmur later on in life (10-20 years later). The murmur may or may not be clinically significant.

Question 9

how does rheumatic heart disease lead to rhythm issues? which ones are common with rhd? how does rhd present on echocardiogram?

Accepted Answer

Atrial arrhythmia : Rheumatic heart disease results in one or multiple valves becoming stenotic or obstructed thereby leading to increased intracardiac pressures in the upstream chambers. That in turn causes dilatation of the atria And electrical instability (arrhythmia). Valve morphology on echo would be highly suggestive of RHD as it has a tell tale pattern well described. Treat valve disease to heal

Question 10

what does rheumatic heart disease mean?

Accepted Answer

Heart valve problem: Rheumatic heart disease is when antibodies (originally produced against untreated strep infections) attack heart proteins, which usually causes problems with the heart valves, like mitral regurgitation. It can also predispose you for other bacteria growing on the heart valves, so people with rheumatic heart disease must get antibiotics before receiving any dental surgery.

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Can you explain the pathophysiology of pneumonia and rheumatic heart disease

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Can you explain the pathophysiology of pneumonia and rheumatic heart disease?

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What is most likely to cause rheumatic heart disease?

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Can rheumatic heart disease take the life of a person?

A member asked:

Is asthma caused by rheumatic heart disease?

A member asked:

Difference between rheumatic fever vs rheumatic heart disease?

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Is mitral stenosis typically the result of rheumatic heart disease?

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Can you please tell me how rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease differ?

A member asked:

If you had rheumatic fever what is the chances of rheumatic heart disease later?

A member asked:

How does rheumatic heart disease lead to rhythm issues? which ones are common with rhd? how does rhd present on echocardiogram?

A member asked:

What does rheumatic heart disease mean?

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