The Full Form of RHD

RHD Full Form – The full form of RHD in medical terms is Rheumatic heart disease. It is a serious complicated form of rheumatic fever. Rheumatic fever is an autoimmune disease which develops if there is inadequate treatment of scarlet fever or strep throat. This leads to the immune system being abnormally responsive with chronic inflammation and gradually depositing calcium crystals inside and around the heart valves.

Rheumatic heart disease can surface with different complications based on which and how the valve is affected or damaged. The most common forms of RHD are:

• Mitral valve disease – Heavy deposits of calcium on the mitral valve. The mitral valve lets blood flow from left atrium to left ventricle. The accumulation of calcium will stop the valve from opening properly. This can lead to leakage in the valve.
• Aortic valve disease – Excessive calcium deposition affects the aortic valve which separates left ventricle from aorta. These deposits lead to development of aortic regurgitation, aortic stenosis, or both.
• Tricuspid regurgitation – Involves the tricuspid valve that separates right atrium from right ventricle. This condition usually accompanies mitral and aortic valve disease.
• Atrial fibrillation – Irregular and rapid heart rate which is often associated with rheumatic mitral stenosis.

Once a person develops rheumatic fever, it is necessary to prevent further damages by continuous antibiotic treatment as a prophylactic therapy. Reduction in inflammation may result from the use of aspirin, steroids, or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. If diagnosed with RHD, one should have their condition regularly monitored with echocardiogram and other diagnostic tools.

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