Can rheumatic heart disease be cured?

Written by Zhang Yue Mei
Cardiology
Updated on September 04, 2024
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There are many clinical treatment methods for rheumatic heart disease, which can improve the quality of life and clinical symptoms of patients with rheumatic heart disease through dietary therapy, but cannot cure it, as rheumatic heart disease involves pathological changes in the valves. Currently, surgery is commonly used in the clinic to treat rheumatic heart disease, to improve the patient's quality of life, enhance cardiac comfort, and improve heart function. Therefore, patients with rheumatic heart disease should not overly rely on folk remedies for a cure, need to pay attention to rest, avoid overexertion to prevent increasing the cardiac burden, and treatment should be under the guidance of a doctor, using different medications according to individual characteristics.

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Written by Xie Zhi Hong
Cardiology
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Is rheumatic heart disease related to dampness?

Rheumatic heart disease often occurs in the southern regions where there is a higher level of humidity. Some patients develop rheumatic heart disease after suffering from rheumatic arthritis or other rheumatic conditions. In Western medicine, it is believed to be due to a series of immune system damages caused by infection with Group A streptococcus, leading to rheumatic inflammation of the heart or damage to the valve functions. This often presents as mitral stenosis, atrial fibrillation, or pericardial effusion. Therefore, according to traditional Chinese medicine theory, rheumatic heart disease is related to humidity.

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Written by Zhang Yue Mei
Cardiology
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What to eat to supplement for rheumatic heart disease?

Rheumatic heart disease often occurs in people with lower resistance, making them susceptible to colds and fevers. Their diet should include foods that enhance immune and disease resistance, such as lean meats, fish, and seafood, which are high in protein, along with milk and eggs. Eating fruits that are rich in vitamins and fibers, like apples, avocados, oranges, and dried fruits, as well as consuming more vegetables, can strengthen the body's resistance and provide various vitamins and trace elements needed by the human body.

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Written by Di Zhi Yong
Cardiology
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What to do about rheumatic heart disease joint pain?

If the patient has a history of rheumatoid arthritis or rheumatic heart disease, symptomatic treatment is primarily used in their treatment. If the patient experiences joint pain, it is suggested that they can use some non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) to control their symptoms. Another approach is to recommend Chinese herbal medicine treatments, including acupuncture and massage to relieve joint pain. Since rheumatic heart disease mainly manifests as a cardiac condition, particularly when the patient experiences palpitations and chest tightness, it is crucial to actively manage these symptoms using cardioprotective drugs or positive inotropic drugs to improve cardiac function.

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Written by Di Zhi Yong
Cardiology
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Is the rheumatoid factor high in rheumatic heart disease?

If the patient has rheumatic heart disease, especially mitral regurgitation or mitral stenosis, this condition can occur. However, the rheumatoid factor may not necessarily be high, as the rheumatoid factor can lead to some cases of rheumatic heart disease, but it is not always elevated. Because this condition cannot be improved even with aggressive treatment, sometimes surgical treatment may still be needed. This is a type of congenital heart disease that can cause these conditions in patients. Rheumatic heart disease is mainly characterized by chest tightness, difficulty breathing, and a booming or mechanical murmur in the precordial area, all of which can occur, but the rheumatoid factor is not necessarily high.

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Written by Di Zhi Yong
Cardiology
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Can rheumatic heart disease eat seafood?

For patients with rheumatic heart disease, it is recommended to avoid seafood in their diet. This is because seafood is relatively stimulating and can cause allergic reactions in patients. It is advisable for patients with rheumatic heart disease to follow a light diet, especially consuming easily digestible foods. During this period, the gastrointestinal function of patients is not very good, and there may be some congestion in the gastrointestinal tract, leading to a decrease in appetite. Therefore, it is even more important to eat foods that are easy to digest and pass through the digestive system. It is also important to maintain regular bowel movements. Particularly, spicy and stimulating foods should be avoided. Moreover, regular check-ups of the electrocardiogram and cardiac ultrasound are necessary.