Rheumatic heart disease

Rheumatic heart disease (RHD) is damage to the heart valves caused by acute rheumatic fever (ARF).

RHD requires ongoing management and recurrences of ARF may cause further damage to the heart values

Who is most at risk

People with a streptococcal (strep) infection of the throat or skin are at greater risk of developing RHD.

Management and prevention

People with RHD require regular clinical follow-ups with specialists, and four-weekly penicillin injections to prevent recurrences of ARF. 

RHD register

The Northern Territory (NT) RHD program supports people with RHD and works to reduce recurrences of ARF.  One of the important ways it does this is through monitoring a register of people with RHD in the NT.

To join the register fill out the rheumatic heart disease register access application form.

If you are already signed up, go to the NT rheumatic heart disease register to login.

Contact the register

For more information contact the RHD Register coordinator through the Centre for Disease Control contacts.