Rheumocarditis is cardiac rheumatism. Characteristic complaints and laboratory changes

A disease of the connective tissue of the body of a systemic nature, accompanied by an inflammatory process, is commonly called rheumatism. At the same time, they are damaged various bodies and systems. But first of all, and to a greater extent, the heart suffers and musculoskeletal system. Rheumocarditis - what is it? The answer is simple: inflammation localized in the heart vascular system. This pathology develops as a complication after suffering infectious diseases. The main provocateur of this condition is streptococcus, which is also the cause of tonsillitis, scarlet fever, sinusitis.

Rheumocarditis is a condition that occurs only after the diseases listed above, after a few weeks. Against the backdrop of the apparent full recovery sudden signs of heart failure appear. The source of the incipient inflammation is group A streptococcal beta-hemolytic infection. It is localized in the mucous tissues upper organs breathing. This pathogen releases toxic elements into the blood that contribute to pathological reactions in various layers of cardiac tissues. Other representatives pathogenic microorganisms cannot cause rheumatic diseases.

The following categories constitute a special risk group:

persons with a genetic predisposition;
women;
immunocompromised people who often suffer from sore throats and other infections respiratory tract;
young patients (7-15 years).

Many people get sick chronic tonsillitis, tolerate severe acute respiratory diseases, including purulent tonsillitis. However, not everyone develops rheumatism of the heart.

Poor heredity is one of the main factors contributing to the occurrence of inflammation of the connective tissue.

When invading streptococcal infection the immune system sends out antibodies to fight the foreign element. However, cells connective fibers in a person with genetic features similar in structural structure with the pathogen. Therefore, immune agents also begin to attack healthy tissues of their own body. The heart is hit first.

Classification

The classification of the types of the disease is based on several signs. So, according to the clinical form, primary and secondary (recurrent) rheumatic heart disease are distinguished.

According to the nature of the spread of the inflammatory process, focal and diffuse lesion membranes of the heart.

Depending on the intensity of the manifestation of symptoms, three degrees of rheumatic heart disorders can be noted:

The first one is lightweight.

There may be no symptoms at all. structural changes not seen in cardiac membranes.

The second is moderate intensity.

Some typical symptoms rheumatic heart disease. Noticeable enlargement of the heart. Hemodynamics is not disturbed.

Third, pronounced (severe).

The inflammatory process covers all the membranes of the heart, the symptoms appear with full force. The blood supply is impaired. The volume of the heart increases even more.

Symptoms of clinical forms of rheumatic heart disease

Primary rheumatic heart disease is also known as the first cardiac rheumatic attack. It may have an acute pronounced onset or proceed without any obvious manifestations. In the first case, two phases of the development of the disease are distinguished: one is characterized by vivid symptoms and lasts up to two months, then pathogenic signs gradually subside until complete disappearance (after 2-3 months).

Typical manifestations of the disease:

joint pain;
protruding seals form in the area of \u200b\u200bthe joints;
chronic fatigue;
rapid heartbeat;
difficulty breathing and coughing spells physical activity;
noise in the region of the heart when listening;
release of a large amount of sweat;
poor appetite;
the skin turns pale;
internal organs increase;
feverish state with temperature fluctuations, thermometer indicators can reach limit values;
on the electrocardiogram, certain violations can be fixed;
blood test shows high level leukocytes, immunoglobulins and ESR, antibodies to streptococcus are detected.

Primary rheumatic heart disease has the following varieties:

Pericarditis.
Myocarditis.
Endocarditis.

Each of these species has a specific set of distinguishing features.

Symptoms of rheumatic pericarditis

This condition refers to inflammation of the outer shell of the heart that forms the cavity. It can accumulate inside a large number of specific fluid (effusion). Therefore, it is customary to distinguish between dry and effusion pericarditis. The first form is the same severe symptoms, in the second case, the presence of the following signs can be fixed:

swelling of the face and neck;
shortness of breath;
heart beats fast;
blood pressure drops sharply;
bile stagnates, so there is heartburn, discomfort in the stomach, belching is possible;
when listening, you can identify the noise that occurs when the sheets of the pericardium are rubbed;
on the skin there are rashes in the form of nodules (in the hair, in the inner part of the elbow joint).

Symptoms of rheumatic myocarditis

When rheumatic myocarditis refers to inflammation of the muscular layer of the heart - the myocardium. This process has a focal (in a limited area) or diffuse (diffuse) character. Focal lesion not so dangerous. It is indicated by the following symptoms:

discomfort in the heart at rest;
different types of arrhythmias;
the phonendoscope captures the presence of systolic murmur.

More serious is considered inflammation, covering the entire layer of the myocardium.

Symptoms of diffuse myocarditis

This pathology is characterized by the severity of the course, often leading to the death of the patient. The onset of an attack can be judged by the appearance of a person:

expression of suffering and fear on the face;
the patient takes a forced position to alleviate the condition;
the skin turns white, cyanosis is possible;
jugular veins pulsate and swell;
the liver does not work well, so the stomach sticks out.

Other signs of pathology:

fever;
severe shortness of breath;
coughing up blood;
tachycardia;
pressing pain in the heart;
loss of consciousness;
muscles weaken, the person has difficulty moving.

When analyzing blood, leukocytosis is fixed, hemoglobin is reduced, erythrocytes too, an increase in ESR is noticeable.

Symptoms of rheumatic endocarditis

The characteristic signs of this condition are damage to the valvular apparatus. Cells become inflamed, replaced by cicatricial formations, coarsen, lose mobility, and do not adequately perform their functions. Such disorders contribute to the development of heart defects. First of all, the mitral bicuspid valve is affected. This leads to hypertrophy of the organ chambers and myocardial insufficiency, with all the ensuing symptoms:

dizziness;
swelling in the legs;
severe weakness;
dyspnea;
fainting state;
tachycardia;
cyanosis of skin tissues;
frequent breathing;
cough;
ascites (fluid in the peritoneum).

Treat similar condition very difficult, the prognosis of the course of the disease is unfavorable.

Symptoms of recurrent myocarditis

A distinctive feature of recurrent (secondary) myocarditis is that attacks of the disease occur against the background of developed pathological changes in the layers of the heart: foci of scar tissue, fused areas of the pericardium, valve defects. New rheumatic attacks are accompanied by symptoms characteristic of the listed disorders. These manifestations join the signs of primary myocarditis.

Recurrent myocarditis can exist in two varieties:

There are constant relapses. Heart defects worsen, the person dies.
The disease proceeds slowly with steady deterioration. Heart failure progresses gradually along with cirrhosis of the liver. The patient cannot live long with such disorders.

Features of diagnostics

To detect rheumatic heart disease, standard methods of instrumental research are used:

EchoCG (ultrasound examination);
phonocardiogram recording (records heart sounds);
X-ray examination of the chest area;
electrocardiography (detects changes heart rate).

Also, the doctor resorts to a blood test. Immune, general and biochemical tests are carried out.

The specialist examines the patient, evaluates him appearance(the presence of edema, cyanosis, pallor of the skin, dermatitis in the form of nodules), respiratory activity, listens to the heart.

Poi conversation with the patient, the doctor must find out:

Whether there were cases of rheumatic disorders in childhood or adolescence.
How did the patient react to the infectious diseases whether there were heart problems.
How long did the recovery process take for tonsillitis and other respiratory diseases.

On initial stage it is difficult to diagnose the disease, because the signs may be erased or absent altogether.

There are hidden forms rheumatic heart disease, when the pathology is similar in its symptoms to other diseases.

Treatment of rheumatic heart disease

rheumatic heart disease heartbreaking should be treated at the first sign of the disease. The earlier therapy is started, the greater the chance of success. If prolonged inactivity is allowed, the disease will lead to irreversible consequences: heart disease, myocardial insufficiency.

In the active phase of the pathology, the patient is forced to be under inpatient observation. It is imperative to unload the heart as much as possible during this period, for this the patient must lie in bed almost constantly. The basis drug treatment –antibacterial drugs, which are able to act on group A hemolytic beta-streptococcus. For this purpose, drugs of the penicillin class, sulfonamides or Erythromycin are used.

Other medicines used to combat rheumatic heart disease:

Inflammation in the severe stage is removed with the help of glucocorticosteroids ("Dexamethasone", "Prednisolone", "Triamcinolone"); easy stage dispenses with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (Voltaren, Meloxicam, Indomethacin, Ibuprofen).
To maintain the work of the heart with significant damage, diuretics, cardiac glycosides ("Digoxin"), ACE inhibitors("Enap"), preparations for normalization metabolic processes("Panagnin", "Potassium Chloride").

At the remission stage, it is advisable for patients to visit medical resort or a sanatorium, undergo a course of physiotherapy. Undoubtedly, the use of:

massage;
baths with radon or hydrogen sulfide;
therapeutic mud (on the area of the joints);
electrophoresis with antibiotics;
ultraviolet.

When there is a developed heart disease, after the active stage of inflammation has subsided, surgical treatment is indicated. Balloon valvuloplasty ("valvulus" means "valve") is preferred. This is a minimally invasive operation with a catheter leading to the area where the narrowed valve of a special balloon is located, followed by its inflation.

Diet food

sweets;
flour, confectionery;
spicy seasonings;
strong drinks with caffeine (tea, coffee);
fried foods;
smoked meats;
products with high content fat.

Food enriched with vitamins, protein, potassium will be useful:

fresh fruits and vegetables;
dried fruits, nuts;
eggs;
milk products;
cereal dishes (especially rice and buckwheat porridge).

Don't Forget the Basic Rules healthy eating: do not overeat, do not take long breaks between meals, do not eat at night.

Preventive measures

Prevention is as follows:

hardening of the body, strengthening the immune system;
taking vitamins, balanced nutrition;
moderate physical activity;
sanitation of foci chronic infection;
adequate treatment of infectious diseases provoked by streptococcus;
quitting smoking and alcohol;
regular preventive medical examination, especially after suffering a sore throat and other diseases of the upper respiratory tract;
V special occasions long-term use of penicillin-based drugs is required (possibly throughout life).

Traditional medicine does not cure this serious illness like rheumatic heart disease. However, the benefits medicinal plants(hawthorn, chokeberry, elderberry, wild rose, eleutherococcus, currant, nettle, chamomile and others) is obvious. They can be used as general tonic, When inflammatory process is in the process of fading.

Forecast

Favorable outcome of the disease can be called early stage. This cannot be said about rheumatic heart disease, which is diagnosed as recurrent. In this case, there is a high risk fatality. The main complications arising from rheumatic heart disease are pathological changes in valves, the development of severe arrhythmia, and progressive heart failure.

With developed heart defects, the situation can be improved by timely surgery. Implantation of an electronic pacemaker will help to eliminate arrhythmia.

An important role in the prediction of the current similar pathologies plays the behavior of the patient himself, his mood and desire to assist the medical staff. Properly and on time therapy will prolong the life of the patient and improve its quality.

There is a formation of new defects of the valvular endocardium in the form of combined and combined heart defects.

Diagnostic criteria for rheumatism according to Kisel-Jones (modified by the American Rheumatological Association, 1982). There are major and minor criteria for the course of the disease.

Major criteria include: carditis, polyarthritis, chorea, erythema annulare, subcutaneous rheumatic nodules. Minor criteria include: previous rheumatism, arthralgia, fever, elevated ESR, increased C-reactive protein, leukocytosis, prolongation of the PQ interval on the ECG, increased titer of antistreptococcal antibodies in the blood, detection of streptococcal antigen.

In the presence of two major and one or two minor criteria, the diagnosis is considered reliable, in the presence of one major and two minor - probable.

Additional diagnostic study. Of the laboratory parameters, the study of a complete blood count (hypochromic anemia, leukocytosis with a shift to the left, an increase in ESR) has a diagnostic value, biochemical research blood (the appearance of C-reactive protein, increased fibrinogen, dysproteinemia, α 2 -hyperglobulinemia, increased levels of haptoglobin, ceruloplasmin, acid phosphatase).

An immunological study should be carried out to determine the increase in the titer of antibodies ASH, ASL-O, ASA, myocardial antibodies.

Of the instrumental research methods, an ECG is taken (determination of various arrhythmias, conduction), Doppler echocardiography.

X-ray examination is informative in severe process, when there is an increase in the left heart. At the first attack, changes in the heart are not detected.

Differential Diagnosis. Should be done with infectious myocarditis. The disease develops at the height of the infection, it is not characterized by progression, signs of valvulitis.

Of the connective tissue diseases, it is necessary to take into account periarteritis nodosa, systemic lupus erythematosus, scleroderma.

With neurocircular dystonia of the cardiac type, there are diverse complaints, there are no objective signs of the disease.

In the syndrome of primary tuberculosis, there are no radiographic symptoms of the primary complex, antistreptococcal antibodies. Mantoux and Pirquet tests are carried out, tuberculosis mycobacteria in sputum are examined.

Treatment. With active rheumatism, mandatory hospitalization is carried out for up to 40–60 days or more.

An appropriate regimen is prescribed: in the absence of carditis - half-bed for 7-10 days, then free; in the presence of carditis - strict bed rest for 2-3 weeks, then semi-bed and free.

From nutrition, table No. 10 is prescribed with a protein content of at least 1 g / kg, limiting salt to 6 g / day.

Mandatory early prescription of antibiotics is carried out: benzylpenicillin 1.5-4 million units per day (depending on the degree of activity) for 2 weeks. Then they switch to a prolonged form: bicillin-5, 1.5 million units every 2 weeks for 2 months. After that, antibiotic therapy is carried out every 3 weeks monthly for at least 3 years in patients without a history of carditis and at least 5 years in patients with a history of carditis. In the presence of an allergy to penicillin, antibacterial drugs of other groups are used - macrolides, oral cephalosporins.

Glucocorticoid drugs are prescribed only for severe carditis, acute (less often subacute) course of the disease: prednisolone 20–30 mg / day for 2–3 weeks, then the dose is reduced until the drug is completely discontinued, the course of treatment is 1.5–2 months.

NSAIDs are used as monotherapy, in case of recurrent or protracted course they are combined with quinoline drugs (delagil, plaquenil for many months).

Of the metabolic drugs, phosphalene, cocarboxylase, a polarizing mixture and antiarrhythmic drugs (for arrhythmias) are used.

With the development of circulatory failure, saluretics are used: hypothiazide, furosemide, uregit, ACE antagonists in a short course.

Flow. If the duration of the disease is up to 6 months, it is considered as acute, more than 6 months - chronic.

Forecast. determined by the condition of the heart. The absence of signs of clinical formation of defects within 6 months is a good prognostic indicator. The formation of a defect within 6 months refers to prognostically unfavorable signs.

Prevention. TO primary prevention includes hardening of children from the first months of life, good nutrition, physical education and sports, improvement of living conditions, timely treatment and rehabilitation of foci of streptococcal infection.

Secondary prevention in patients who have had the first rheumatic attack without carditis is more effective until the age of 18; in patients with carditis with the first attack of rheumatism, it is more effective until the age of 25.

In patients with valvular disease, bicillin prophylaxis can be carried out throughout life.

Rheumocarditis of the heart - dangerous chronic illness, in which the process of inflammation, which appeared due to infectious pathology joints, affects the membranes of the heart and leads to disorganization of the cardiac connective substance.

Chronic rheumatic heart disease is not an isolated disease, but one of the forms of rheumatism, built by group A hemolytic streptococci. Often infectious focus located in the tonsils, getting into upper divisions respiratory system.

Rheumatism

Rheumocarditis becomes a complication rheumatic disease, which proceeds as an inflammatory allergic disorders in the body is its reaction to the presence of hemolytic streptococci. Chronic rheumatic heart disease can be triggered by the body's reaction to streptococcal and viral associations. The factor of heredity plays an important role in the progression of rheumatic foci.

In the course of the development of the disease, the theory prevails that antigens - protein substances produced by streptococci, cause an hypersensitive reaction in adult patients. The reaction is associated with the release of special antibodies and disruption immune system. The described processes cause pathological changes body defense processes and the formation of autoimmune reactions leading to the destruction of connective tissue in organs. In ancient times, doctors said: "Rheumatism tries the joints, but eats the heart."

Study possible factors leading to the formation of symptoms of heart rheumatism, is still ongoing.

Cardiac rheumatism manifests itself in the form of standard cardiac symptoms.

Symptoms of rheumatic heart disease

Signs of rheumatic heart disease in adults are general or cardiac:

General symptoms: lethargy, fatigue, excessive sweating, decreased interest in food, fever.
Cardiac symptoms: rapid heartbeat, rare cases slow rhythm, low pressure, stabbing and drawing pains on the left side of the chest, heart rhythm failures. Often there are signs of heart failure, such as shortness of breath and swelling of the extremities.

Attention! If, after a person has had a sore throat or scarlet fever, through certain time the temperature suddenly increases or does not go astray for three weeks, there are symptoms described above, you should go to see a cardiologist. If the doctor hears a heart murmur, be sure to undergo an examination and, if the diagnosis is confirmed, take measures to treat rheumatic heart disease.

Symptoms and treatment

If you treat scarlet fever and pharyngitis on your own, the risk of developing inflammatory reactions in heart. So as soon as there are signs rheumatic lesion heart at any age, you need to go to the hospital for diagnostic examination.

Typical patient complaints include:

A sharp rise in temperature to 40 degrees.
Violent and prolonged pain in large joints.
Characteristic changes on the electrocardiogram.
When analyzing blood, it is observed high rate leukocytes, ESR, the presence of C-reactive protein, the balance of proteins is disturbed, the percentage of immunoglobulins increases, streptococcal antibodies can be detected.

Varieties and degrees of the disease

Chronic rheumatic heart disease can take three forms:

The first degree is weak.
The second degree is the average activity.
The third degree is the most pronounced.

Depending on the spread of the inflammatory process, doctors distinguish between focal and diffuse varieties of rheumatic heart disease. The disease can occur in an acute, mild, latent (unexpressed) or protracted form.

There are forms of primary and recurrent rheumatic heart disease. The primary attack of heart rheumatism can have three development options:

Myocarditis.
Pericarditis.
Endocarditis.

Cardiac rheumatism in children

The prevalence of rheumatic heart disease in children is associated with allergic pathologies infectious origin, which are accompanied by systematic pathologies of the connective tissue in the vascular system and the heart. With rheumatism of the heart in a child, the synovial articular membranes, heart and joints, serous tissues nervous system, kidneys, liver, respiratory and vision organs, skin.

Children's rheumatic heart disease

In newborns and older children, against the background of rheumatic processes, rheumatic heart disease, polyarthritis, nodes of rheumatoid origin, nephritis, pneumonia, annular erythema can develop. Differential Diagnosis childhood disease is based on the symptoms of heart rheumatism, previously overcome by the body of infections with the presence of streptococci, which is confirmed laboratory tests patients. When establishing treatment for rheumatism in a child, a cardiologist prescribes penicillin, quinoline, and glucocorticoids.

Causes of children's rheumatism

Of particular importance in the appearance of rheumatism in children are factors of heredity or features of the constitution of the body. In many cases, there is a family history of rheumatic disease. The information that fever against the background of rheumatism occurs in only 3 percent of children and adults who have overcome pathological streptococcal infection makes it possible to judge that there is "rheumatic diathesis".

Squirrels cell membranes streptococcus provoke and prolong the process of inflammation in the liver, some parts of the heart and the membranes of the organs. M-protein levels phagocytosis, providing toxic effect and the appearance of anticardiac bodies in the body.

In young children, rheumatic pathologies manifest themselves in an active and inactive form. Minor activity criteria are the severity of symptoms and indicators of abnormal laboratory tests.

Features of diagnostics

Chronic rheumatic heart disease in the first phases and with minor manifestations of endocarditis is not easy to diagnose. This is due to the vagueness and variety of symptoms. Often during medical practice diagnostic errors occur. Therefore, it is necessary to differentiate the symptoms and diagnoses of heart pathologies.

Diagnostics

At differential diagnosis doctor should pay attention to the following symptoms rheumatic heart disease:

Long-term fever that continues after the pain in the joints has subsided.
If anti-inflammatory non-specific means do not give effect, this indicates the presence of problems with the heart.
manifestation of leukocytosis.
Nodules on the skin.
The boundaries of the heart are changed and violated.
Characteristic noises are heard.

Difficult to find hidden recurrent rheumatic heart disease. This form diseases are hidden under other ailments or under febrile outbreaks that occur without obvious reasons. Often in such cases, adults can be diagnosed with thermoneurosis.

Treatment of heart rheumatism

The effectiveness of the treatment of rheumatic heart disease depends on how early the disease is detected, on the measures taken to prevent the occurrence of heart disease. Features of the treatment of chronic rheumatic heart disease (CRHD) depend on the duration, form and severity pathological disorders. At the peak of an exacerbation of the disease in adults, bed rest is recommended.

conservative methods

Standard therapy includes the following activities:

Antimicrobial treatment - patients are prescribed antibiotics based on penicillin, complex and sulfa drugs. Take medications as directed.
Anti-inflammatory treatment. If the differential diagnosis revealed a severe stage of rheumatic inflammation of the heart, there are corresponding symptoms, then the treatment consists in taking glucocorticosteroids. And if the form mild disease, then anti-inflammatory salicylic drugs are prescribed.
Symptomatic therapy – medications are prescribed that provide support acid balance, and tranquilizers, diuretics and vitamin complexes.

After finishing active phase diseases, doctors advise patients for a long spa treatment with the use of physiotherapy, sea mud and thermal baths.

Important! At the stage of rehabilitation rheumatic carditis can be treated surgically if the disease is complicated by heart disease. The therapeutic readiness of the patient for surgical intervention is important.

What are the predictions?

Timely taken medical measures to eliminate rheumatoid carditis provide a favorable prognosis. Most of the patients after recovery return to full working capacity. So the frequent outcome of rheumatic heart disease is positive. Only 20 percent of cases develop heart defects. Death- rare, occurs in 0.2 percent of cases.

Prevention

Preventive measures are to prevent rheumatic fever. Doctors' recommendations are as follows: correct image life, do exercises in the morning, temper, arrange leisure- this will help maintain the health of the heart and body for many years.

Olga Medonos | 08/27/2015 | 514

Olga Medonos 27.08.2015 514

Is it possible to avoid heart damage with a diagnosis of rheumatism? What needs to be done for this? What to do if the disease still affected main body circulation?

Rheumatism is called systemic disease, because in the absence of properly selected and timely treatment, not only the musculoskeletal, but also the cardiovascular, nervous systems are affected.

What systems are affected by rheumatism?

If the disease spreads to cardiovascular system , the victim experiences pain in the chest and joints, nausea, weakness, complains of shortness of breath.

The inflammatory process can lead the central organ of blood circulation to serious lesions, including heart disease.

In the articular form of rheumatism, the inflammatory process occurs in several joints at once. As a rule, the largest of them suffer: knee, elbow, pelvic, shoulder, etc.

Without proper treatment, even a common cold can be fraught with serious consequences for the body.

The patient experiences weakness, quickly gets tired even with minimal physical exertion. However, the main complaint is pain in the affected joint, which is usually deformed and swollen.

One of the complications of rheumatic fever can be nervous system damage. It is expressed in mood swings, sleep disturbances, mobility. In this case, chorea is diagnosed in sick children.

How does rheumatism affect the heart?

Rheumatic inflammation of the heart (rheumatic heart disease) can occur in several forms:

light(there are only minor lesions of the heart muscle, symptoms are usually absent),
middle(there are significant lesions of the heart muscle, the heart is enlarged, the patient is disturbed by a rapid pulse, discomfort in the sternum)
severe(the patient's condition worsens, he complains of pain in the heart, swelling, fatigue).

If the muscular membrane of the heart is affected, the patient is diagnosed myocarditis. The main manifestations of this form of the disease are arrhythmia, shortness of breath, discomfort in the region of the heart. Heart failure is often diagnosed.

Pericarditis- damage to the outer tissue membrane of the heart, in which the amount of pericardial fluid increases significantly. Patients complain of shortness of breath, pain in the area chest, dry cough, fever, irregular pulse.

The severity of symptoms in rheumatic inflammation of the heart largely depends on the state of the body's immune system and the stage of the disease.

At endocarditis the inner lining of the heart is damaged, which leads to changes in the heart valves. Clinical manifestations of the disease: fever, chills, excessive sweating. The patient may also complain of weakness, headache, joint pain, significant weight loss…

At pancarditis all layers of the heart are damaged, because of which it cannot work normally. As a result, blood circulation is disturbed and cardiac arrest can occur.

Symptoms and signs of rheumatic heart disease

The first symptoms of rheumatic heart disease usually appear 2-3 weeks after past infection upper respiratory tract. The patient's body temperature rises, he experiences weakness and malaise. Heart palpitations and shortness of breath are disturbing even when doing ordinary household chores.

Other complaints include arrhythmia, dullness, It's a dull pain in the heart, edema lower extremities, cough.

On examination, it is found that the size of the liver and heart is significantly enlarged.

Patients are worried about shortness of breath and Blunt pain in heart

Diagnosis of rheumatic heart disease

Diagnosis of the disease begins with a survey and examination of the patient.

Complaints of the patient, information about previous diseases, as well as the presence of rheumatism in the next of kin - all this will allow the doctor to make a more accurate diagnosis.

Also, the patient will have to donate blood for general and biochemical analyzes, immune status.

The patient will need to go through instrumental examinations: electrocardiogram, phonocardia, chest x-ray, ultrasound of the heart.

Treatment of rheumatic heart disease

To prevent development serious consequences disease, its treatment should be started as soon as possible.

Which medications shown in rheumatic heart disease? First of all, antibiotics (to suppress infection) and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (have anti-inflammatory, antipyretic, analgesic effects).

Sanatorium treatment will strengthen all body systems

Prevention of rheumatic heart disease

The primary prevention of rheumatic heart disease as one of the manifestations of rheumatism is to strengthen the immune system and increase the overall resistance of the body. To avoid getting sick, childhood need to lead active image life, play sports, eat right and fully.

For those who have had a disease, it is also very important to strengthen defensive forces body and not to neglect preventive antibiotic therapy to prevent relapses and complications. Timely elimination of foci of chronic infection will achieve a stable remission of rheumatism.

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One of the consequences of the occurrence of diseases of the joints is rheumatic heart disease, which in turn is the main clinical manifestation with rheumatism.

This disease is localized pathological process usually in the heart. It should be noted that rheumatic heart disease is mainly found in children whose age varies from 7 to 15 years.
no, slightly less common in preschool children.

There is an inextricable link between the development of the disease and group A beta-hemolytic streptococcus. It is under the influence of the second in the human body that the development of autoimmune disorders begins.

Rheumocarditis is expressed by attacks that develop 1.5-2 weeks after the infection acute type in the nasopharynx.

Streptococcal infections are characterized by increased massiveness. They are responsible for providing direct or indirect damaging effects on tissues. human body because of a large number toxins and antigens.

Causes of rheumatic heart disease include reduced level in the body's resistance to streptococcal infections. In this case, the doctor prescribes certain medicines patient.

There is also a family genetic predisposition to this disease. In this case, some of the remedies used during treatment may not be suitable.

Kinds

To date, there are several types of a disease such as rheumatic heart disease, which differ in their severity. Their list consists of three degrees:

Severe degree, in which there is a bright severe symptoms, expansion of cardiac boundaries, as well as circulatory failure;
Moderate severity, which is characterized by a multifocal lesion. As for the manifestations, they are not bright, but they cause the patient some discomfort. The boundaries of the heart are also expanding, however, there are no symptoms of insufficient blood circulation;
Mild degree with fewer lesions. At this stage, there are no symptoms, cardiac boundaries are normal, and there is no circulatory failure.

It depends on the degree of the disease which medicines the doctor prescribes to the patient. There is also acute rheumatic heart disease and chronic, which in turn can cause inflammation in the patient's body, including in the joints.

Symptoms

History of rheumatic heart disease is characterized by the degree of damage to the myocardium of the heart.

To the symptoms this disease include focal and diffuse myocarditis with a different etiology. Typically the list typical signs rheumatic heart disease consists of:

increased speed ROE;
prolonged subfebrile temperature;
pulse instability with an increased tendency to heart rhythm disturbances (tachycardia).

It is possible to facilitate the diagnosis of rheumatic heart disease in the case of a combination of the disease and rheumatic fever or polyserositis. In this case, the doctor prescribes certain drugs for this particular situation.

Concerns the most late periods disease, here the diagnosis is facilitated by the appearance of symptoms indicating damage to the endocardium and not occurring during myocarditis with a different etiology.

Rheumatic heart disease is characterized by increased duration and cycle in the development of rheumatism.

One more hallmark disease is a tendency to exacerbations, leading to subsequent changes in cardiac activity and aggravating the present valvular disease. In any case, the outcome of rheumatic heart disease ends varying degrees damage to the heart muscles and the subsequent development of valvular defects (usually mitral).

In severe cases there is possible appearance effusion pericarditis, embolism (in the case of atrial thrombosis), and rheumatic lesions coronary vessels when blood circulation is disturbed, and do not receive nutrients, including to connective tissues joints.

Diagnostics

During the examination of patients with rheumatic heart disease, an expansion is detected.
heart borders with muffled tones.

Heart murmurs appear, blood and electrocardiogram changes. As a rule, the treatment of rheumatic heart disease is aimed precisely at reducing the symptoms. inflammatory nature and absolute elimination of heart failure.

Treatment

Rheumocarditis occurs in its mild form, characterized by damage to the myocardium of the heart without any other damage to the body. In this case, folk remedies can help.

Over time, accession and pericarditis is observed, which indicates severe course illness. In the absence of treatment, the disease proceeds for two months, after which a latent form appears.

The process of treating patients with rheumatic heart disease must necessarily take place in a hospital. Anti-inflammatory drugs and antibiotic therapy are usually prescribed. If the patient has frequent tonsillitis, then in order to cure rheumatic heart disease, tonsils are removed.

In the event that rheumatic heart disease is severe, then the use of glucocorticosteroids (usually prednisolone) is necessary. During the treatment of the disease, the method is used symptomatic treatment. The doctor prescribes diuretics to the patient.

With an increase in heart failure, the list of drugs is supplemented with cardiac glycosides and vasodilators. In some cases, you can not do without painkillers.

The next line of treatment for rheumatic heart disease is preventive action during repeated attacks. It is necessary to carry out sanitation of foci of inflammation and hardening. During the first 3 years after the first attack, bicillin is prescribed, which the patient must take every month. Then the frequency of use is reduced to twofold (spring and autumn).

Alternative treatment

For the treatment of rheumatic heart disease, folk remedies are also used, namely tincture, which includes motherwort and hawthorn. To do this, you need to take 6 tablespoons of hawthorn and the same amount of motherwort. All this is poured with boiling water (1.5 liters) and infused for a day. The use of this tincture is recommended for 1 glass half an hour before meals.

There are several more folk remedies which can be used to treat rheumatic heart disease.

The tincture consists of 50 grams of finely chopped Eleutherococcus rhizome and 500 ml of alcohol or vodka. This composition must be put in a cool dark place for half a month. The mixture is stored in a dark bottle. The infusion is taken 30-50 drops 40 minutes before meals for a month.
Dry hawthorn flowers (10 gr.), filled with 100 gr. alcohol. All this is infused for 20 days in a dark place. After that, you need to strain the infusion and use 30-35 drops 4 times a day.
The main ingredients of another decoction are Eleutherococcus leaves (6 gr.), Which should be crushed and poured with 1 glass warm water. This decoction must be put in an enameled closed vessel for 15 minutes. Then cooling takes place for 40 minutes. After that, it should be filtered and added to the broth. boiled water to get the original volume.

The shelf life of the resulting infusion is no more than three days. The patient should use it one tablespoon 4-5 times a day for half an hour of food for a month.