Rheumatic Fever.

[Holidayman]

When I was 14 I had the above when got soaked in a tent overnight at a camp.

I am now 68 and till 6 months ago had no issues,although left with a murmur at 14.

Suddenly with symptoms of light headiness and some breathlessness I collapsed.

Post extensive tests I know have to have my aortic valve replaced as it's tapered severely,changing what limited things I can do now.

I get a phamplet on valve conditions and causes and discovered that it's no 5 on the list of causes why aortic valves need replacing.

Over the years many Drs have said to me as checking my chest did you know you have a murmur.Said yes and moved on.No standard checks applied.

Knowing what I have read now can I suggest if anyone reading this has had rheumatic fever but never had an echo cardiogram or ECG they mention it to your Dr and ask if you should be checked out case any heart damage is developing.

Prevention may be better than the cure.

Hoping nobody is needing any help with this information I have provided

[annpavitt250448]

Not personally had rheumatic fever, but many years ago my uncle had rheumatic fever as a young man and developed heart problems. Now a days he would have probably had valve replacement but unfortunately he had a heart attack and died , so I agree with your sentiments

[Claytod in reply to annpavitt250448]

I had RF at 6 years old, 6 months in Hospital. In later life played football and squash well into my 40’s. It was in my 71 year that I had issues and HF was diagnosed. After 3 blackouts I was implanted with CRTD in Dec 23. No further issues, feel good but not playing squash or football these days 😀

[Holidayman in reply to Claytod]

Good to hear.Take care.

[Sav100]

Hi,

I had a small heart attack in July 2022 at the age of 49, as they went to discharge me discovered via a scan at some point in my childhood I’d had rheumatic fever and need a full mitrial valve replacement, had lived a normal life, had two children, traveled, worked and most likely done some really silly things in that time 🤣

Valve has been replaced in late 2023 and I’m slowly getting back to normal, I know given time I will get back to being me, but have been left with the start of heart failure but hey that can be dealt with. ❤️❤️

[castlemay]

i had rhematic fever at 8 years old i am 76 now, they said i had murmur too, nothing done. always been breathless on exertion . about 10 years ago started getting angina pains saw cardiologist nothing done. 2022 woke up had heart attack and arrest got me back. found small left ventricle with clot in it. also mitral and aortic valves leaking. left sided cardiomyopathy and coronary artery's small and weak. they ignored me about RF said too long ago. functioning at 40% now.

[Classof1988]

Did you have any check ups with a Cardiologist after your diagnosis? I am the same age as you and contracted Rheumatic Fever at age 13. My paternal grandfather had also had it as a child and had a second bout at age 72 so there may be a genetic disposition in my family. After 15 weeks in hospital (and three weeks home bedrest before that) I had antibiotic cover (Penicillin) until age 21. I had annual check ups with ECG and then Echocardiogram when these became available and was initially advised I may need a valve replacement much later in life. I lived a normal activite life until I was told that the valve replacement was a when and not if. The idea was to replace the valve before the murmur started to affect my general health. My heart was not enlarged (one radiographer asked me why I was having an Echo as everything looked ok!). I had aortic valve replacement at age 32, while I still felt well, and was driving from London to Tenby 10 weeks later for a mini break and would have back at work 12 weeks later but had to wait for Occupational Health to assess me before I could resume. 13 years later I applied for a promotion at work to a safety critical role and after a thorough risk assessment by Occupational Health was passed fit for full duties. I took early retirement just short of 62 because of a management restructure which put me back onto full time 24/7 shift work after a break of 6 years and was still in good heat, although something that felt like a bad bout if flu two months later damaged the electrical connections to the heart which ultimately led to total heart block and a pacemaker which has been working quietly in the background for the last 5 years. I think this was a totally unrelated issue to the valve which still works well. Even with the heart block I remained active and only knew something was wrong because my normal walking pace was unsustainable without slowing down especially uphill. I never felt light headed and never lost consciousness at any time. I am sorry to hear that you appear to have been overlooked for monitoring but I hope my experience can reassure you that valve replacement is not something to be worried about and that once your valve is replaced you should be a bit like a car that was sluggish because of a defective part of the engine but once replaced allowed it to run with full power again. If you need any more reassurance or just want to talk about your situation please feel free to DM me via this app

[Holidayman in reply to Classof1988]

Thank you for your reassuring reply.

Only seen cardiologist since my collapse in Sept 23.Valve replacement diagnosed then.

Op in March.

Good to see U recovered so well.

Take care.

Gerard.