Rheumatic Heart Disease & Stroke: Understanding the Connection

Rheumatic heart disease is a condition caused by rheumatic fever that usually affects children between the ages of 4 and 18. The effects of RHD last a lifetime and can result in a stroke.

Features

• RHD damages the heart by causing inflammation. Signs of cardiac problems include chest pain, fatigue, shortness of breath and an irregular pulse, per the HealthCentral Network.

Effects

• Inflamed heart valves and vessels can lead to stroke because blood cannot flow properly from the heart to the brain to deliver oxygen and other nutrients.

Considerations

• According to the American Stroke Association, a blood clot in the heart due to RHD may not only interfere with blood flow to the brain, but may also dislodge and travel to the brain.

Prevention

• ASA indicates a doctor will often prescribe anticoagulants or antiplatelets to prevent blood clots from forming. These include aspirin and warfarin.

Solution

• Surgical options for RHD include heart valve replacement or opening a very narrow valve to prevent stroke. A balloon valvuloplasty is a non-surgical option which involves snaking a balloon-tipped catheter into the heart and inflating the balloon to open the valve.