Rheumatic Heart Disease: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatments

Rheumatic heart disease is a major problem in developing countries and is the cause of most of the cardiovascular mortality in young people, leading to about 250,000 deaths per year worldwide. This disease results from an abnormal autoimmune response to group A streptococci infection in a genetically susceptible host. The acute rheumatic fever, the precursor to rheumatic heart disease, can affect various organs and lead to irreversible valve damage and heart failure. The antibiotic Penicillin is generally used for the treatment and prevention of this disease. The treatment guidelines have emphasized antibiotic prophylaxis against recurrent episodes of acute rheumatic fever which is feasible and cost effective. The early diagnosis and treatment is possible if people at risk for rheumatic heart disease in endemic areas are screened. An active surveillance with echocardiography based screening may be a useful program (Marijon et al., Lancet 379(9891):953-964, 2012). The use of vitamins, C and E, and natural antioxidants protect many heart diseases.