What to do about rheumatic heart disease joint pain?

Written by Di Zhi Yong
Cardiology
Updated on November 25, 2024
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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 Xie Zhi Hong
Cardiology
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Can rheumatic heart disease with enlarged heart be treated with surgery?

Patients with rheumatic heart disease generally present with valvular insufficiency or severe stenosis. If the patient's heart is enlarged and the ejection fraction significantly decreases, for example, if the left ventricular diastolic diameter is greater than 75, and the ejection fraction is less than 30%, the surgical outcome may be poor. This is particularly the case if there is associated pulmonary arterial hypertension, which may lead to no improvement in condition after surgery, indicating a poor surgical outcome. However, if the patient has severe stenosis or insufficiency of the valve function, not performing surgery could further worsen the condition.

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Written by Di Zhi Yong
Cardiology
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Rheumatic heart disease can be relieved by massaging which areas?

Since rheumatic heart disease is a type of valvular disease, especially mitral regurgitation or mitral stenosis, these can lead to rheumatic heart disease. Pathological murmurs can also be heard in the precordial area. The treatment of rheumatic heart disease is primarily pharmacological. If the condition is severe, surgical treatment can be used, but massage is not recommended. Because sometimes massage can exacerbate symptoms and does not alleviate the patient's condition, I personally suggest that it is better not to massage. In treating rheumatic heart disease, if the condition is severe, or the defect area is relatively large, sometimes it is advisable to consider surgical treatment for the patient, but pharmacological treatment can also relieve symptoms.

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Written by Xie Zhi Hong
Cardiology
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How to deal with a cold and fever in rheumatic heart disease?

Patients with rheumatic heart disease who catch a cold and develop a fever may experience a worsening of their existing rheumatic heart disease, with more severe mitral stenosis or regurgitation, and there could also be recurrent attacks of existing heart failure. Therefore, if a person with rheumatic heart disease catches a cold, it is crucial to seek medical treatment early and go for a hospital examination. If it is a viral infection, antiviral treatment should be given, and for bacterial infections, medications to control and kill bacteria should be administered. Furthermore, if there are repeated fevers during the treatment process, physical methods to reduce fever can be used, such as applying a cold cloth or ice pack to the head when the temperature is below 38°C, along with medication therapy using ibuprofen. In short, it is essential to treat colds and fevers early in patients with rheumatic heart disease. (Medication should be used under the guidance of a physician.)

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Written by Zhang Yue Mei
Cardiology
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Are the symptoms of rheumatic heart disease severe?

Rheumatic heart disease is a type of organic heart disease where the heart valves are damaged, leading to stenosis and insufficiency. Symptoms vary with the extent of the damage. Mild damage does not significantly alter hemodynamics, and there may be no clinical symptoms, allowing for unrestricted physical activity. Severe damage results in noticeable changes in hemodynamics, presenting with symptoms of heart failure such as coughing, expectoration, cyanosis, palpitations and shortness of breath after activity, swelling of the lower limbs, and indigestion among other signs of heart dysfunction. Early treatment is necessary to prevent worsening of heart failure and to safeguard the patient’s life.

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Written by Zhang Yue Mei
Cardiology
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What should I do about swollen feet caused by rheumatic heart disease?

Patients with rheumatic heart disease who experience swelling in their feet usually suffer from heart failure. First and foremost, it is important to rest and avoid excessive exertion to alleviate the burden on the heart, ensuring adequate sleep and relaxation, maintaining a pleasant mood, consuming easily digestible foods, and following a low-fat, low-salt diet, particularly avoiding high-sodium foods. Eating foods high in sodium can lead to water and sodium retention, which increases the burden on the heart and worsens swelling. In severe cases, it is necessary to use effective diuretic medications under the guidance of a doctor to reduce the cardiac load and eliminate fluid retention.