Rheumatic Heart Disease Risk Factors: What You Need to Know

What are the Risk Factors for Rheumatic Heart Disease?

Rheumatic heart disease is an autoimmune complication that arises from damage to the heart valves after one or more episodes of rheumatic fever, where the body's immune system, while fighting the streptococcal infection, mistakenly attacks its own tissues. It is caused by the bacteria group A streptococcus. An untreated or poorly throat infection treatment can cause an inflammatory illness with an immune-mediated origin.

Several risk factors lead to the development of RHD. They involve social and environmental conditions, genetic influences, and limited access to healthcare.

Common Risk Factors for Rheumatic Heart Disease

Here are some common rheumatic heart disease risk factors, as stated by reputed healthcare providers worldwide:

Poor Socioeconomic Conditions

Living in overcrowded localities with limited access to clean water, sanitation, and healthcare increases the risk of streptococcal infections, which can eventually lead to rheumatic fever and then RHD.

In many low- and middle-income countries, poverty and deprivation, overcrowding, limited access and poor hygiene are common, creating conditions where group A streptococcal bacterium can spread easily among children and families. Without early diagnosis and treatment of sore throats, the infection can progress to more serious complications such as rheumatic fever.

Repeated Streptococcal Infections

Usually, Group A Streptococcus bacteria cause rheumatic fever. Children who suffer repeated episodes of streptococcal sore throat are at greater risk of developing rheumatic fever, especially if they do not receive timely antibiotic treatment.

Similar inflammations can cause permanent damage to the heart valves over time. So, preventing recurrent infections is crucial to reduce the overall risk of rheumatic heart disease.

Lack of Access to Healthcare

Many individuals at risk of rheumatic heart disease do not have access to basic healthcare services, including diagnosis and treatment for sore throats or fever. In rural and under-resourced areas, there is often a lack of trained healthcare professionals, medical facilities, and medications.

Without early intervention, minor infections can turn into severe complications. Thus, access to primary care services plays a vital role in the early detection and treatment of rheumatic fever.

Genetic Susceptibility

Some individuals may have a genetic tendency to develop an exaggerated immune response to streptococcal infections, making them more susceptible to rheumatic fever and subsequent heart damage. Although the hereditary factor alone does not cause the illness, it increases vulnerability when combined with other factors. More research is being conducted to understand the genetic links to this condition.

Age and Childhood Exposure

For some people, RHD typically begins in childhood following an episode of acute rheumatic fever. Children between the ages of 5 and 15 are especially vulnerable, as they are more likely to contract streptococcal throat infections.

Young children living in poorly sanitised or crowded settings are at even higher risk. The damage caused to the heart valves during childhood can persist and worsen in adulthood if not treated properly.

Rheumatic heart disease is largely preventable, but its risk factors have a deep connection to limited access to healthcare and recurrent infections. By addressing these factors through public health efforts, education and timely medical treatment, the global burden of RHD can be significantly reduced.

What are the complications of rheumatic heart disease?

Rheumatic Heart Disease can impact your heart around 20 to 30 years after an episode of rheumatic fever. In case you had frequent episodes or were younger at the time of having rheumatic fever, you may see the impact of rheumatic heart disease at a younger age. One or more of your heart valves can grow narrow which is called as stenosis of the valve, allow flow of blood backward in the wrong direction. Health experts termed as regurgitation. In addition, rheumatic disease is prone to impact the mitral and aortic heart valves.

Rheumatic Heart Disease can result into:

• Heart failure
• Pulmonary hypertension
• Infective endocarditis
• Arrhythmia

Some of above mentioned medical condition can trigger the chances of blood clots or stroke.

Rheumatic Heart Disease is the permanent damage to heart valves caused by one or more episodes of rheumatic fever. This damage begins at the time of the initial illness and is progressive. Symptoms of severe valve problems, such as shortness of breath or heart failure, may become apparent many years later.

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