RHD
Medical abbreviation · Cardiology
| Stands for | Rheumatic heart disease |
|---|---|
| Categories | Medical |
RHD stands for Rheumatic heart disease, a cardiology abbreviation.
Permanent damage to heart valves, especially the mitral valve, following one or repeated episodes of acute rheumatic fever triggered by untreated group A streptococcal throat infections. It remains a major cause of heart disease in children and young adults in low- and middle-income countries.
Example: Echo screening in a 15-year-old shows thickened mitral leaflets consistent with RHD; monthly penicillin prophylaxis started.
Usage notes
Tens of millions of people worldwide live with RHD, yet it has become rare in high-income countries thanks to antibiotic treatment of strep throat. Secondary prophylaxis with monthly benzathine penicillin injections prevents recurrent rheumatic fever and further valve damage. The World Health Assembly adopted a resolution on rheumatic fever and RHD in 2018.
Related abbreviations
More cardiology abbreviations
- RAD – Right axis deviation
- RBBB – Right bundle branch block
- RCA – Right coronary artery
- RCM – Restrictive cardiomyopathy
- RFA – Radiofrequency ablation
- RHC – Right heart catheterization
- RRR – Regular rate and rhythm
- RV – Right ventricle
- RVH – Right ventricular hypertrophy
- RVR – Rapid ventricular response
- RVSP – Right ventricular systolic pressure
- RWMA – Regional wall motion abnormality
See all 229 cardiology abbreviations →
This entry is for general education and is not medical advice. Abbreviation use varies between institutions; always confirm in context.