Is rheumatic heart disease considered a major illness?

Rheumatic heart disease is generally considered a major illness.

Rheumatic heart disease is a common type of heart valve disorder caused by damage to the heart valves due to rheumatic fever, which is associated with infection by group A beta-hemolytic streptococcus. In rheumatic heart disease, the mitral valve is most commonly affected, followed by the aortic valve, leading to conditions such as valve stenosis and regurgitation.

During the acute or active phase, patients may experience symptoms including palpitations, shortness of breath, fatigue, and limb edema. When rheumatic heart disease is complicated by atrial fibrillation, mural thrombi can form in the atria. If these clots dislodge, they may cause thromboembolic events such as cerebral infarction or pulmonary embolism. If they block vessels in the limbs, they can lead to ischemia and tissue necrosis. Therefore, rheumatic heart disease is regarded as a serious cardiac condition and classified as a major illness.

Patients with rheumatic heart disease should seek timely medical treatment. The first step involves addressing the underlying cause—controlling rheumatic activity, reducing cardiac load, and minimizing the impact of valve disease on heart function—through medication or surgical intervention as appropriate.