Do rheumatic heart disease joints feel cold?

Written by Jia Qiu Ju
Cardiology
Updated on February 15, 2025
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Rheumatic heart disease does not cause cold joints during an attack. The main clinical symptoms are primarily heart failure or arrhythmias. However, due to the underlying rheumatic heart disease, there is rheumatic fever. If it is in the acute phase of rheumatic fever, cold joints, swelling, and pain may occur. It is necessary to conduct further tests including rheumatic factor, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, C-reactive protein, etc., to clarify the specific cause of the cold joints. Treatment can be directed towards the symptoms that appear. The main focus during an attack of rheumatic heart disease should be on managing heart failure and arrhythmias, maintaining heart function, reducing the burden on the heart, and controlling common arrhythmias, such as episodes of atrial fibrillation, among others.

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Can mild rheumatic heart disease be pregnant?

Generally, for patients with mild rheumatic heart disease, pregnancy is not recommended. Pregnancy can sometimes increase the burden on the heart, leading to heart failure. If this condition is treated in time, or if the patient has relatively good heart function and rheumatic heart disease rarely recurs, pregnancy can still be considered for young female patients. However, for rheumatic heart disease patients experiencing palpitations and chest tightness, it is best not to consider pregnancy. This condition can increase the load on the heart, especially in the late stages of pregnancy, and may further exacerbate heart failure.

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What should I do about rheumatic heart disease asthma?

If the patient has rheumatic heart disease, the main symptoms include palpitations, chest tightness, and shortness of breath after activity, as well as swelling in both lower extremities. If wheezing symptoms occur, some cardiotonic drugs can be used in treatment to improve the patient's symptoms. Currently, treatment primarily focuses on symptomatic relief and improving the patient's cardiac and pulmonary functions. During this period, it is important to actively prevent complications. If the patient's symptoms occur abruptly, it is crucial to seek immediate medical attention at a hospital. Sometimes, infusion therapy and low-flow oxygen inhalation are required to effectively alleviate the patient's current symptoms of palpitations, chest tightness, and breathing difficulties.

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If the patient is diagnosed with rheumatic heart disease, and exhibits symptoms such as fatigue, numbness, or weak limbs, it could indicate a decline in heart function. It is recommended that the patient visit a hospital for a cardiac ultrasound to rule out these issues, as this condition is treatable. Currently, the treatment primarily focuses on symptomatic relief and improving heart function using cardiotonic diuretics, which can alleviate the patient’s current condition. If the patient experiences palpitations, difficulty breathing, or other similar symptoms, immediate attention is necessary. Ongoing monitoring of the patient's heart rate, blood pressure, and pulse changes is essential. If there is a high heart rate, or symptoms like swelling in the lower limbs, diuretics may be used to relieve these symptoms.