What is rheumatic heart disease?
Rheumatic heart disease (RHD) happens when your heart is damaged by acute rheumatic fever (ARF). It affects your heart valves. This means your heart cannot pump blood around the body as well as it should. Symptoms of RHD include:
- Shortness of breath
- Chest pain
- Swelling
It can be treated with injections every four weeks. Your GP will tell you more about this.
What will my GP do now for my rheumatic heart disease?
Your GP will talk to you about your symptoms and health history. They will do tests to check for recent infections and better understand your heart health. Your GP may send you to get an X-ray or to a specialist called a cardiologist. They will talk to you about how to manage your RHD and prevent getting sick in the future.
What will my GP do in the future for my rheumatic heart disease?
Your GP will see you every three months for a check-up. They will also arrange for you to see a heart specialist each year for a more in-depth review.
