What is rheumatic heart disease?
When rheumatic fever affects the heart, this is called rheumatic heart disease. Rheumatic heart disease is the damage to the valves that makes the heart weak.
The heart has 4 sections, which are like ‘rooms’ also called chambers. The heart valves are the ‘doors’ that stop the blood from flowing the wrong way. When the heart pumps, blood flows from one chamber to the next.
What happens if my child has rheumatic heart disease?
If rheumatic fever has affected your child’s heart, they may also be under the care of a cardiologist (heart doctor). They may ask your child to have a heart scan (echocardiogram) regularly. This is so they can see how your child's valves are working. If your child's valve is very damaged, they may need surgery to repair or replace the valve. The cardiologist and healthcare team can give you more information if this is the case.
Unhealthy valves are sometimes referred to as 'leaky valves'. This means the blood is leaking between the chambers in the heart. It does not mean blood is leaking out of the heart into the body.
Other parts of the journey
The rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease journey introduction
Taking care of my child's health after a diagnosis of rheumatic fever
A young person's rheumatic fever or rheumatic heart disease journey in pictures
What is rheumatic heart disease? (You are here)
How will my child's rheumatic fever be managed?
What other ways can I look after my child's health after rheumatic fever?
When can my child return to doing the things they enjoy after rheumatic fever?
Will my child need regular medical check-ups after rheumatic fever?
Looking after my child's mouth and gums after rheumatic fever
Will rheumatic fever affect my child's ability to have children in the future?
Acknowledgements
This information is adapted from the rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease booklet produced by the Rheumatic Fever Project Team, Te Whatu Ora - Counties Manukau, 2022.
Rheumatic heart disease illustration by Dr Greta File. Property of KidsHealth.
References
Rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease booklet (PDF, 9.94 MB). Te Whatu Ora - Counties Manukau, 2022.
