Guide To Treating Rheumatic Heart Disease

Heart Valve Surgery

Rheumatic heart disease can damage the heart valves. Heart valve surgery might be considered to replace or repair the valves that have sustained damage. Damage may affect the aortic, mitral, or tricuspid valves. There are two types of this surgery, including a valvuloplasty and an annuloplasty. Valvuloplasty might be considered when a heart valve opening is narrowed as a result of rheumatic heart disease. Once the problematic valve is repaired, this can help reduce the patient’s symptoms by improving blood flow. An annuloplasty involves reinforcing or tightening the heart valve ring. This can prevent blood from flowing backward into the affected valve.

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Blood Thinning Medication

Blood-thinning medication might be considered if the patient needs to have a heart valve replaced. Patients at risk for a stroke might also receive this type of medication. The risk of blood clots may increase if the patient experiences atrial fibrillation as a complication of rheumatic heart disease. Issues with blood clotting are most often seen when rheumatic heart disease is affecting the heart’s mitral valve. The type of blood thinner prescribed will depend on several factors, such as the patient’s age and overall health. How long this medicine is required depends on the results of the clotting studies doctors will do to determine the overall effectiveness of blood-thinning therapy.

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