Does rheumatic heart disease cause joint pain?

Written by Di Zhi Yong
Cardiology
Updated on February 20, 2025
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Rheumatic heart disease can present with joint pain, especially if the patient has a history of rheumatic arthritis or rheumatoid arthritis, which can be associated with rheumatic heart disease. There is a correlation between the two, but the possibility of rheumatic heart disease cannot be ruled out even if the patient does not have a history of rheumatic diseases. Currently, the treatment is mainly symptomatic. Rheumatic heart disease can include conditions such as mitral stenosis or mitral regurgitation. Murmurs can be heard between the heart chambers, and treatment may involve using medications that strengthen the heart and improve cardiac function.

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Written by Zhang Yue Mei
Cardiology
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Can rheumatic heart disease cause fever?

Rheumatic heart disease, in the early stages of onset, can present with fever. The main cause of rheumatic heart disease is due to an infection with streptococcus that causes damage to the heart valves. Initially, bacterial infection is the most prominent clinical manifestation, with common diseases like tonsillitis. If effective medication is applied to control the infection at this time, it can reduce the occurrence of rheumatic heart disease. If not treated promptly, it can lead to damage to the heart valves, resulting in rheumatic heart disease.

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Written by Di Zhi Yong
Cardiology
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Do people with rheumatic heart disease need to take medication regularly?

Patients with rheumatic heart disease should also maintain a light diet, especially avoiding spicy and irritating foods. It is important to monitor changes in heart rate, blood pressure, and pulse. If the heart rate is too fast or the blood pressure is high, it may sometimes be necessary to use medication for early intervention. Rheumatic heart disease mainly manifests as chest tightness and difficulty breathing, and sometimes it can also present as swelling of the lower limbs. With active treatment, these symptoms can normally be alleviated. It is also important to monitor changes in heart rate and pulse regularly. If there are any incidents or difficulty in breathing, it is necessary to go to the hospital for treatment. During this period, it is still important to educate patients to regularly and routinely take oral medications to improve heart function, which is beneficial.

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Written by Zhang Yue Mei
Cardiology
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What should be avoided with rheumatic heart disease?

Patients with rheumatic heart disease should avoid overexertion and getting angry. Both overexertion and anger can increase the heart's burden, leading to a worsening of the heart disease. Patients should consume easily digestible foods and avoid spicy and greasy foods because these can cause indigestion or gastrointestinal symptoms, which in turn can increase the burden on the heart. A low-salt diet is also recommended; avoid eating overly salty dishes. Consuming foods high in salt can lead to retention of sodium and water in the blood, which increases the heart's burden, and in severe cases, can lead to heart failure.

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Written by Zhang Yue Mei
Cardiology
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Can rheumatic heart disease heal itself?

Rheumatic heart disease cannot heal itself, because it is caused by pathological damage to the heart valves, leading to narrowing of the valves and incomplete closure. Through careful treatment and management, clinical symptoms can be alleviated, but it cannot heal itself. Those with rheumatic heart disease must take it seriously, try to reduce the burden on the kidneys, and minimize colds. Eating easily digestible food, reducing the burden on the heart, and adhering to a low-salt, low-fat diet are recommended.

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Written by Chen Tian Hua
Cardiology
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What to do about reduced urine output in the late stage of rheumatic heart disease?

Patients with rheumatic heart disease who experience oliguria in the late stage should consider the possibility of heart failure as the cause. Due to heart failure leading to a decrease in cardiac output, renal blood perfusion is reduced, which in turn causes symptoms of oliguria. Additionally, if the patient also has renal function impairment, it will further exacerbate the symptoms of oliguria. It is important for patients with rheumatic heart disease who experience symptoms of oliguria to seek medical attention promptly and receive active treatment as soon as possible. Medications to control heart failure should be administered to increase the heart's contractility and cardiac output, improve renal perfusion, and diuretics should be given to increase urine output. With heart failure under control, the patient's condition can be alleviated. For patients with rheumatic heart disease, if there are indications for surgery, timely surgical treatment should be provided.