Rheumatic Heart Disease Treatment (RHD) in India

Rheumatic heart disease (RHD) is a heart condition that results from damage to heart valves and tissues caused by the inflammation and scarring caused by rheumatic fever. The condition starts as a sore throat from a bacterium called Streptococcus pyogenes (group A streptococcus). The sore throat caused by this bacterium is referred to as strep infection. Repeated occurrences of strep infections can lead to rheumatic fever, which occurs when the immune system reacts against the tissues of the body. These autoimmune reactions also include inflammation and scarring of the heart valves, which ultimately leads to damage in the valves and affects the functioning. While RHD usually affects children between the ages of five and fifteen, older children and adults can also be at risk for the disease.

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Rheumatic fever is a long-term ailment. In India, an estimated 2-3 million people have RHD.

The most common rheumatic heart disease symptoms include pain in the chest, shortness of breath and tiredness. In rare cases, death is also possible if the condition is not properly diagnosed and treated.

What is Rheumatic Heart Disease?

• Rheumatic heart disease (RHD) refers to a group of short-term, i.e. acute and long-term, i.e. chronic heart disorders which occur as a result of rheumatic fever.
• One common result of rheumatic fever is heart valve damage that may lead to valve disorder.
• Acute rheumatic fever occurs in children between the ages of 5 and 15 and the adolescents due to the vulnerable immunity system.
• Currently, at least 15.6 million people are estimated to be affected by RHD. A significant number of these people require repeated hospitalization and often expensive heart surgery in the next 5 to 20 years.
• The worst affected areas with RHD are sub-Saharan Africa, the Pacific, South-Central Asia and the indigenous population of Australia and New Zealand.

What are the causes of Rheumatic Heart Disease?

• RHD is a chronic heart condition which is caused by rheumatic fever that can be prevented and controlled.
• The rheumatic fever is caused by a preceding group called a strep throat (streptococcal) infection. About 60% of patients with rheumatic fever may develop some degree of subsequent heart disease.
• In a susceptible patient, the throat infection triggers problems that lead to the destruction of their heart valve and may also affect the kidney. In contrast, the heart valve once damaged is very serious as it is very difficult to rectify.
• Apart from the heart valve, rheumatic fever also affects the myocardium (muscles of the heart), pericardium (outer covering of the heart) and the valves that are present in the endocardium.

What are the Symptoms of RHD?

People who have rheumatic heart disease sometimes end up very sick because the blood stops flowing the right way. This makes them very tired and makes them feel short of breath. Although RHD does not always cause symptoms, some of the symptoms include :

• Heart palpitations
• Chest pain
• Swelling
• Breathlessness on exertion
• Waking from sleep with the need to sit or stand up
• Breathing problems when lying down
• Fainting
• Fever related to infection of the damaged heart valves
• Stroke
• People with RHD may not be able to do the things like playing sports, hunting, walking or going fishing. Here it is important to note that once the problem begins and is diagnosed, then it requires treatment right away, otherwise the problem will worsen over time to an extent that life will become unbearable.

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What are the complications associated with RHD?

• The heart is a double pump with four chambers. Each of the chambers is sealed with a valve that opens and closes in one direction only, so that the blood cannot flow backwards.
• Rheumatic heart disease often involves damage to the heart valves. Typically, the damaged heart valves cannot open or shut properly.
• This interferes with the proper blood flow through the heart. Without treatment, this damaged valve may continue to deteriorate.
• Complications associated with RHD include heart failure, meaning the heart will be unable to pump blood effectively and the strain will cause the heart to enlarge.
• Other complications include, infection of the damaged heart valves (infective endocarditis) and stroke caused by clot formation in the damaged valves or enlarged heart. These clots break off and cause blockages in blood vessels of the brain and stroke.

How is Rheumatic heart disease diagnosed?

The diagnosis for RHD include the following :

Physical examination: Your doctor will look for a heart murmur as it may suggest RHD. However, many patients with RHD do not have a heart murmur.
Chest X-ray: The doctor will order a chest X-ray to check for an enlargement of the heart or the fluid on the lungs.
Medical history: It includes the evidence of the past ARF (acute rheumatic fever) or a strep infection.
Echocardiogram: It will check for any infection or damage in the heart valves and assess if there is a heart failure. This is one of the most useful tests to determine if the RHD is present.
Electrocardiogram (ECG): It is used to check if the chambers of the heart have enlarged or to determine an abnormal heart rhythm called arrhythmia.

How is Rheumatic Heart Disease Treated?

• If the heart damage from rheumatic fever is identified in childhood or young adulthood, then daily oral antibiotics (often penicillin) or a single intramuscular penicillin injection is administered.
• The antibiotics help to prevent the recurrence of rheumatic fever and also avoid the development of an infective bacterial endocarditis, an infection of the heart valves or the lining of the heart.
• Blood thinning medications will also be prescribed to prevent the stroke or think of the blood for replacement valves. Additional treatment for RHD depends on the type of heart damage.
• Surgery is often required to repair to replace the heart valves in patients with severely damaged valves. They include:

Valve Repair: It means that the valve is mended to help to work better. During repair, a ring may be sewn around the opening of the valve to support it.
Valve Replacement: Valve replacement or valvuloplasty is a non-surgical technique that uses a cardiac catheterization. During replacement, the diseased valve is removed and a new valve is inserted in its place. The replacement is done either with the help of a mechanical or a biological valve.

SURGERY FOR RHD IN INDIA

Preoperative phase
Especially in these circumstances, the cardiac surgeon and team must have a thorough understanding of the pathology, pathophysiology, and comorbidities of RHD in children, adolescents, and adults. Weekly cardiac surgery team conferences should discuss the phases of care, that is, preoperative, operative, and postoperative. This should include the clinical history and physical examination, electrocardiogram, echocardiogram, chest x-ray, clinical lab testing, current drugs, risk factors, patient conference, blood availability, operative permission, and discussion of complications including possible death. Surgical treatment selection should include the absolute and relative indications, and contraindications, as well as the timing of surgery (i.e., emergency, urgent, or scheduled), and the selected surgical techniques available that include interventional, surgical repair, and mechanical or bioprosthetic valve replacement. In developing programs, operations on less complicated patients and associated risk factors are recommended. Achieving good results promotes confidence and goodwill for both the patient, family, the hospital, the cardiac surgery team, the local community, and the financial donors.

Why Should You Visit India for Treating Rheumatic Heart Disease?

• Treating rheumatic heart disease in India under the leading cardiologists ensures comprehensive cardiac care at an affordable price.
• India has a very good infrastructure with many medical units and hospitals having the latest equipment spanning from the basic facilities to the most sophisticated curative technology for cardiac care.
• International patients visit India each year to undergo various cardiac surgeries and treatments as they need not have to worry about the arrangements while choosing India for the treatments.
• With the progressing medical tourism in India, all a patient has to do is fill out our free consultation form and send us your query.
• An added advantage of choosing India for treating rheumatic heart disease include zero patient wait list and you can avail for the appropriate surgery and treatment as when you require or as per the urgency of your condition.

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Fortis Escorts Hospital New Delhi

Number of beds:  310
ICU Beds:                 158
Airport Distance: 19 KMs

Brief About:

• It was established in 1988 and is JCI accredited.
• Fortis Escorts Heart Institute is a premier multi-disciplinary hospital providing tertiary care and is recognized worldwide for its clinical excellence in cardiac care.
• The 310-beded hospital is a globally renowned centre boasting admirable outcomes for interventions like Cardiac Bypass Surgery, Minimally Invasive Surgery, Interventional Cardiology, Non-invasive Cardiology, Paediatric Cardiology and Paediatric Cardiac Surgery.

Medanta The Medicity Hospital

Number of beds:  1250
ICU Beds:                300
Airport Distance: 18 KMs

Brief About:

• Medanta – The Medicity is amongst India’s largest and most renowned multi-super speciality healthcare centre with 1250 beds, 29 super speciality units and more than 800 accomplished doctors.
• Supported by state-of-art infrastructure, all the departments in the hospital are fully equipped with cutting-edge technology, modular Operation Theatre and modernized monitoring systems in ICUs.
• The panel of doctors from Medanta, headed by A.S.Soin performed the first successful intestinal transplant in India.

Max Hospital Saket

Number of beds:   500
ICU Beds:                 267
Airport Distance: 13 KM

Brief About:

• Max Super Speciality Hospital at Saket is one of the topmost healthcare service
• Providers in India. The multi-super speciality hospital has a capacity of over 500 beds, 250 functional beds. It is equipped with state-of-the-art facilities, advanced technologies.
• With the help of over 300 leading specialist Doctors, strong nursing staff, and state-of-the-art innovative medical tools.

BLK-Max Hospital

Number of beds: 700
ICU Beds:               175
Airport Distance: 13 Km

Brief About:

• BLK Super Speciality Hospital was established by Dr. B.L. Kapur  in 1959. It was inaugurated by the then Prime Minister of India, Pandit Jawahar Lal Nehru.
  
• BLK Super Speciality Hospital was established by Dr. B.L. Kapur  in 1959. It was inaugurated by the then Prime Minister of India, Pandit Jawahar Lal Nehru.
• BLK has a unique combination of the best in class technology, put to use by the best names in the professional circles to ensure world-class health care to all patients.

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We offers these Services

• Providing a doctor’s opinion and proper quotation
• Selecting the best hospital and doctor as per your case
• Arranging a call with the doctor (if the case required)
• Visa assistance, Providing Visa Invitation Letter (VIL)
• Providing full guidance how to get Visa from your country
• Providing total cost including treatment, air tickets, accommodation, and food
• Assitance to book flight ticket from your country
• Arranging airport pick up/ drop
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• Booking accommodation and guest house as per your budget/ prefrence
• Providing help in money exchanging
• Providing local sim card
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Artemis Hospital

Number of beds:  600
ICU Beds:                185
Airport Distance: 19 Km

Brief About:

• Artemis Hospital, established in 2007, spread across 9 acres, is a 600plus bed; state-of-the-art multi-speciality hospital located in Gurgaon, India.
• Artemis Hospital is the first JCI and NABH accredited hospital in Gurgaon.
• Designed as one of the most advanced hospitals in India, Artemis provides a depth of expertise in the spectrum of advanced medical & surgical interventions, a comprehensive mix of inpatient and outpatient services.

Sanar International Hospital

Number of beds:   130
ICU Beds:                  35
Airport Distance:  20 Km

About Hospital:

• Sanar International Hospital was established in 2018.
• Sanar International Hospital founded by Mr. Naresh Kapoor.
• Sanar International Hospital offers comprehensive advanced surgical care in specialties like Cancer, Heart, Blood and Marrow Transplant, Lung, Liver, and Neurosciences along with other major departments with advanced state-of-the-art facilities.

Fortis Memorial Research Institute

Number of beds:    1000
ICU Beds:                  298
Airport Distance:  17 KMs

Brief About:

• Fortis Memorial Research Institute was established in 2001.
• It is an outstanding multi-speciality quaternary care hospital,having the top-notch infrastructure, advanced equipment, highly qualified and experienced medical professionals and super sub-specialists.
• Fortis Hosptial Gurgaon is an advanced centre of excellence in Robotic Surgery, Neurosciences, Oncology, Renal Sciences, BMT, Organ Transplants, Orthopaedics, Cardiac Sciences and Obstetrics & Gynaecology.

Indraprastha Apollo Hospital

No. of beds: 900
ICU Beds:     262
Airport:        20kms

Brief About:

• Indraprastha Apollo Hospital is a flagship hospital of India’s foremost healthcare groups,the Apollo Group. It is a highly renowned multi-speciality facility that offers tertiary and quaternary care services to domestic and international patients.
• The 900 bedded hospital is outfitted with the most modern technology for diagnostics as well as therapeutic purposes.
• A team of highly trained medical professionals work under all the 52 specialities at the hospital.

Accord Superspeciality Hospital

Number of beds:   380+
ICU Beds:                  41
Airport Distance:  46 Km

About Hospital:

• The story of Accord began with the thought of leveraging the new age technology with the healthcare infrastructure to serve the patients, rightly, effectively, and timely.
• Accord Superspeciality Hospital (A Unit Of SCL Healthcare Pvt. Ltd) is India’s first smart hospital and one of the first of its kind in the world.
• Accord Superspeciality Hospital aims at providing technologically advanced healthcare services to international patients who are looking out for medical tourism in India.

W Pratiksha Hospital

Number of beds: 110
ICU Beds:                 31
Airport Distance: 19 KMs

About Hospital:

• Established in 1995, W Pratiksha Hospital is a 110+ bedded flagship hospital of the Pratiksha group.
• W Pratiksha Hospital in Gurgaon, the flagship hospital of Pratiksha Group is a one-of-its-kind facility in Gurgaon that brings to you 30 years of experience.
• The hospital has treated more than 25,000 people In 2018.
  

Aakash Health Care Delhi

Number of beds:  230
ICU Beds:                70
Airport Distance: 10 Km

About Hospital:

• Aakash Healthcare Super Speciality Hospital is a tertiary care facility, with 15 Dialysis, and 70 Critical care beds for treating the most complex cases in the National Capital Region (NCR) of Delhi, Dwarka.
  
• The hospital is equipped with state of the art infrastructure, latest technology, competent clinicians and compassionate staff.
  
• Aakash Healthcare Super Specialty Hospital is known for its leading care in Orthopaedic and Joint replacement surgery.
  

Jaypee Hospital

Number of beds:   525
ICU Beds :               150
Airport Distance: 32 KMs

About Hospital:

• The Jaypee Hospital was conceptualized by a revered Founder Chairman, Shri Jai Prakash Gaur in 2014, with the vision of promoting world-class healthcare amongst the masses by providing quality and affordable medical care with commitment.
• Jaypee Hospital at Noida is the flagship hospital of the Jaypee Group, which heralds the group’s noble intention to enter the healthcare space.
• This hospital has been planned and designed as a 1200 bedded tertiary care multi-speciality facility and has commissioned 525 beds in the first phase.

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We offers these Services

• Providing a doctor’s opinion and proper quotation
• Selecting the best hospital and doctor as per your case
• Arranging a call with the doctor (if the case required)
• Visa assistance, Providing Visa Invitation Letter (VIL)
• Providing full guidance how to get Visa from your country
• Providing total cost including treatment, air tickets, accommodation, and food
• Assitance to book flight ticket from your country
• Arranging airport pick up/ drop
• Providing professional language interpreter
• Booking accommodation and guest house as per your budget/ prefrence
• Providing help in money exchanging
• Providing local sim card
• Arranging video consultation with specialist doctor if case requires