Hi there.
Thanks for your query in HCM. I am Dr.Aliem. I have gone through your post and I understand your concern. I am pleased to answer your query.
Rheumatic fever is only an acute condition, but with a few long term sequelae. Most notable is the affection of heart valves. It may affect one or more of the four major heart valves. The mitral valve, which directs blood flow from left atrium to ventricle, is the most commonly affected. It may result in stenosis, i.e reduction of quantity of blood passing through the valve, or regurgitation, i.e a two-way flow of blood, instead of the normal one-way flow. Heart valves are not affected in all those who had rheumatic fever, but if affected, it definitely needs treatment.
In your case, it is more likely that you have rheumatic
valvular heart disease. I suggest you to consult your physician. You may need a cardiologist's consultation and an
echocardiogram, besides ECG and some other baseline tests. Depending upon the severity of involvement of valves and the condition of your heart, you may need surgery, which provides lasting relief of symptoms. You also need some drugs for long term to prevent further attacks of
Infective endocarditis, which if occurs, will worsen the diasese.
Hope this helps. If you have further queries, feel free to post them. If you are satisfied with this, do give your feed back.
Take care.
Dr.Aliem MD.,