Condition Lookup

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Category:

Rheumatic Heart Disease

Specialty: Pediatrics

Sub-category: Acquired Cardiovascular Disorders

Symptoms:
fatigue; shortness of breath; chest pain; heart palpitations; swollen joints; fever; unexplained weight loss; skin nodules or rash

Root Cause:
Chronic valvular damage caused by recurrent episodes of acute rheumatic fever, an autoimmune response to group A streptococcal infections (e.g., strep throat).

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Echocardiography to detect valvular damage, clinical criteria (Jones criteria), history of streptococcal infection, elevated inflammatory markers (CRP, ESR), and antistreptolysin O (ASO) titers.

Treatment:
Long-term antibiotic prophylaxis to prevent recurrence (e.g., benzathine penicillin G), management of heart failure with medications, and surgical valve repair or replacement in severe cases.

Medications:
Antibiotics (e.g., benzathine penicillin G) - To eradicate streptococcal infection and prevent recurrent rheumatic fever. Diuretics (e.g., furosemide ) - To manage fluid retention in heart failure. Beta-blockers (e.g., metoprolol ) - For arrhythmias or heart failure. Anticoagulants (e.g., warfarin ) - For atrial fibrillation or prosthetic valves to prevent thromboembolism.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Common in low- and middle-income countries, affecting 15-20 million people worldwide. It primarily affects children aged 5-15 years.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Untreated or recurrent streptococcal infections, poor socioeconomic conditions, overcrowding, limited access to medical care.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
With appropriate treatment and preventive care, progression can be controlled, but severe cases may require lifelong management. Without treatment, it can lead to heart failure and premature death.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Heart failure, atrial fibrillation, infective endocarditis, stroke, and permanent disability due to valvular damage.

Hypertension in Children

Specialty: Pediatrics

Category: Cardiovascular Disorders

Sub-category: Acquired Cardiovascular Disorders

Symptoms:
headaches; fatigue; dizziness; nosebleeds; shortness of breath; blurred vision; chest pain; asymptomatic (common in mild cases)

Root Cause:
Elevated blood pressure due to either primary (essential) hypertension or secondary causes such as kidney disease, obesity, endocrine disorders, or congenital cardiovascular abnormalities.

How it's Diagnosed: videos
Serial blood pressure measurements compared to age, sex, and height percentiles; ambulatory blood pressure monitoring; laboratory tests (e.g., kidney function tests, electrolytes); imaging studies (e.g., renal ultrasound, echocardiography).

Treatment:
Lifestyle modifications (e.g., diet, exercise, weight management) and medications for severe or secondary cases. Treating the underlying cause if identified (e.g., managing kidney disease).

Medications:
ACE inhibitors (e.g., lisinopril ) - To lower blood pressure by relaxing blood vessels. Calcium channel blockers (e.g., amlodipine ) - To reduce blood vessel constriction. Diuretics (e.g., hydrochlorothiazide ) - To decrease fluid retention and lower blood pressure. Beta-blockers (e.g., atenolol ) - To reduce heart rate and blood pressure.

Prevalence: How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Increasing in prevalence due to rising rates of obesity; affects 2-5% of children and adolescents.

Risk Factors: Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Obesity, family history of hypertension, sedentary lifestyle, high-sodium diet, chronic kidney disease, endocrine disorders.

Prognosis: The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Good with early detection and treatment, but untreated hypertension can lead to long-term complications like cardiovascular disease, kidney damage, and stroke.

Complications: Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Left ventricular hypertrophy, chronic kidney disease, atherosclerosis, stroke, and heart attack.