Can untreated strep throat lead to heart problems?

Untreated or under-treated strep infections can increase the risk for rheumatic heart disease

rheumatic heart disease

Pathophysiology. Rheumatic fever is a systemic disease affecting the connective tissue around arterioles, and can occur after an untreated strep throat infection, specifically due to group A streptococcus (GAS), Streptococcus pyogenes.

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Rheumatic fever - Wikipedia

. Children who get repeated strep throat infections are at the most risk for rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease.

Can strep mess up your heart?

In some people, repeated strep infections cause the immune system to react against the tissues of the body including inflaming and scarring the heart valves. This is what is referred to as rheumatic fever. Rheumatic heart disease results then from the inflammation and scarring of heart valves caused by rheumatic fever.

What happens if strep throat goes untreated?

Caused by the group A streptococcus bacteria, strep throat is an infection that requires prompt treatment, particularly in children over the age of 3. Left untreated, strep throat can lead to kidney inflammation or rheumatic fever, a serious illness that can cause stroke and permanent damage to the heart.

Can strep cause heart inflammation?

An infection, such as strep throat or scarlet fever, triggers your body's immune response. It causes inflammation throughout the body, including in the heart. If untreated, the inflammation can lead to permanent heart valve damage and serious health problems.

What are the symptoms of rheumatic heart disease?

Symptoms of rheumatic fever, which can lead to rheumatic heart disease, include: Swelling, redness and pain in the joints. An inflammation of the heart muscle and tissue, causing a rapid heart rate, fatigue, shortness of breath and exercise intolerance. Fever.

Strep Throat to Rheumatic Heart Disease

Can strep cause heart palpitations?

These symptoms can be part of many medical conditions, including atrial fibrillation, viral and bacterial infections. Strep throat can be diagnosed with a throat swab. Antibiotics may be needed to treat a bacterial infection.

What happens if rheumatic heart disease is left untreated?

If left untreated, rheumatic heart disease can lead to heart valve damage, stroke, heart failure, and death.

How long can you live with rheumatic heart disease?

Those who had mild RHD at diagnosis had the most favorable prognosis, with over 60% remaining mild after 10 years, and 10% being inactive by the end of the 14‐year study period.

How do you test for rheumatic heart disease?

There is no specific test for rheumatic heart disease. The first step will be to establish if you have had a strep infection. A throat culture and/or a blood test might be able to find strep antibodies if the infection was recent.

Can tonsillitis cause heart problems?

If Tonsillitis Is Caused by Strep, It Can Cause Rheumatic Fever. The damage to the heart valve, known as rheumatic heart disease, can affect you the rest of your life, says Clark.

How serious is strep in the bloodstream?

Streptococcal toxic shock syndrome (STSS) is a rare, but serious bacterial infection. STSS can develop very quickly into low blood pressure, multiple organ failure, and even death. Good wound care, hand hygiene, and cough etiquette are important for preventing this serious and often deadly disease.

How long can strep go untreated?

Strep throat typically goes away within three to seven days with or without antibiotic treatment. If strep throat is not treated with antibiotics, you may be contagious for two to three weeks and at a higher risk for complications such as rheumatic fever.

Can strep turn into something else?

Blood infections: The strep bacteria can also get into your bloodstream, where they don't normally live. This is called “bacteremia.” If the strep bacteria release toxins in multiple organs, it can create another rare, life-threatening condition called “streptococcal toxic shock syndrome” that can cause organ failure.

Can strep cause myocarditis?

Bacteria. Bacteria that can cause myocarditis include staphylococcus, streptococcus, and bacteria that cause diphtheria and Lyme disease.

Can a sore throat be heart related?

By itself, throat or jaw pain probably isn't heart related. More likely, it's caused by a muscular issue, a cold, or a sinus problem. But if you have pain or pressure in the center of your chest that spreads up into your throat or jaw, it could be a sign of a heart attack.

How long before strep turns to rheumatic fever?

It usually takes about 1 to 5 weeks after strep throat or scarlet fever for rheumatic fever to develop. Rheumatic fever is thought to be caused by a response of the body's defense system — the immune system.

What are the symptoms of rheumatic fever in adults?

Can you have rheumatic fever and not know it?

Rheumatic fever usually occurs about two to four weeks after a strep throat infection, and can be so mild you don't even know you have it.

Can rheumatic fever go undiagnosed?

Rheumatic fever explained

Acute rheumatic fever can be undiagnosed and this can cause failure to prevent or recognise rheumatic heart disease. Failure to recognise ARF and limited access to healthcare can contribute to the under-diagnosis of ARF.

What is a serious complication of strep throat affecting the joints and heart?

About rheumatic fever

Most strep throats get better and don't lead to rheumatic fever. However, in a small number of people, an untreated strep throat develops into rheumatic fever, where their heart, joints (elbows and knees), brain and skin become inflamed and swollen.

Who is more prone to rheumatic heart disease?

Rheumatic heart disease disproportionately affects girls and women, whose risk of developing rheumatic heart disease is two times higher than in men and boys. Rheumatic heart disease is the leading cause of maternal cardiac complications in pregnancy.

Can heart inflammation be cured?

Myocarditis is when your heart muscle becomes inflamed. It often happens due to an infection, typically caused by a virus. Myocarditis can also be caused by bacterial infections, fungal infections, and autoimmune diseases. Many people with myocarditis go on to recover completely.

Why is my heart beating hard in my throat?

You may notice heart palpitations in your chest, throat, or neck. They can be bothersome or frightening. They usually aren't serious or harmful, though, and often go away on their own. Most of the time, they're caused by stress and anxiety, or because you've had too much caffeine, nicotine, or alcohol.

Can bacteria affect the heart?

Endocarditis occurs when germs, usually bacteria, enter your bloodstream, travel to your heart, and attach to abnormal heart valves or damaged heart tissue. Fungi or other germs also may cause endocarditis.

When should I be worried about heart palpitations?

You should contact your doctor if you experience heart palpitations frequently, for longer than a few seconds, or if they are accompanied by dizziness, loss of consciousness, chest or upper body pain, nausea, excessive or unusual sweating, and shortness of breath.