Rheumatic fever responsible for many valve problems

[Katlee]

I had Rheumatic fever at the age of 16 in 1970, unfortunately my
GP said I had no heart involvement and he was wrong. Many years
later cards told me there was no way he could tell if there was heart
involvement by simple auscultation. He never sent me for an echo,
which they were doing at that time. However ,I've learned a lot
through the years; strangely enough people with CHDs are prone to
Rheumatic fever. I wonder how many people with heart problems also
have connective tissue disease. I have Rheumatoid Arthritis as well.
I'm hoping to get my heart rate up ( it runs mid 40s to 50) because
if and when I need a valve repair/replacement, I want to be in the
best cardiac conditiion possible. Has anyone had the slow HR problem
and what did you do to correct or improve your condition?

Kat

 

[Rich]

I also had rheumatic fever when I was young in the early 1940's.
My doctors say this was most likely the cause of calcification of my valve.
I never had the slow HR though.
Rich

 

[MadMac]

Connective Tissue Disease Connection

Connective Tissue Disease Connection

Katlee,

Oddly enough, it was discovered that I had Mitral Valve Prolapse and Rheumatoid Arthritis in the same physical that I had eight or nine years ago. The Rheumatoid Arthritis gave in to therapy within a couple of years. The mitral valve continued to decline until last February when my Cardiologist decided it was time to replace it. Of course, lost total control of the arthritis when all arthritis medications were removed before OHS to replace the valve. Just now gaining control again. Prior to surgery, I couldn't stay in shape due to the mitral valve insufficiency. After surgery, I couldn't get back into shape as fast as I would have liked due to loss of control of the arthritis. That is changing now though. Anyhow, in my case, both maladies popped up together. The issue with the mitral valve when removed was gross calcification likely due or related to the arthritis.

 

[Nancy]

Joe is 75 years old now. He had rheumatic fever as a teenager. He had his first valve replacement 28 years ago (aortic), and another several years ago (mitral), then a repair on the mitral replacement. Right now, he also has a severely leaking tricuspid, not fixed. He also has a pacemaker for slow heartbeat. And-- he has major lung problems in both lungs.

I suspect that he may have some form of autoimmune disease, but this has not been diagnosed yet.

I feel that rheumatic fever has contributed to ALL of these problems.

So he has major complications from rheumatic heart disease.

 

[Barbara Stewart]

rheumatic fever and valve problems

rheumatic fever and valve problems

I didn't have rheumatic fever, but I DO have lupus, and many lupus sufferers also have MVP. I was diagnosed with lupus two years ago, but I've had doctors hearing a slight murmur since I was a child. There does seem to be some relationship with these autoimmune diseases.

Barbara

 

[Cork]

I had rheumatic fever back in 1994. It effected my Mitral Valve and Aortic Valve. Both have since been replaced with mechanical ones. However, I never had a problem with a slow heart beat. After getting the rheumatic fever mine was almost always over 100, Average about 120. Since the mechanical implants it has come down to the 90's though.

 

[Cork]

oh yeah, when i went to the emergency room the physician told me that it was rheumatic fever. However, he assured me that there was nothing wrong with my heart too.