Acute rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease
The Australian Guideline for Prevention, Diagnosis and Management of Acute Rheumatic Fever and Rheumatic Heart Disease (2nd Edition).
The revised guideline expands on the first edition to provide clinicians with additional information on preventative action, diagnosis and management of acute rheumatic fever (ARF) and rheumatic heart disease (RHD).
The guidelines have clarified common questions and broadened the diagnosis criteria for probable ARF in high risk groups in order to assist clinicians when there are uncertain cases of ARF. A summary of the changes within the revised guideline can be found on pages 7–9.
RHD Australia envisages that reduced improved clinical care will result from improved and updated clinical care procedures for patients with ARF and RHD.
Quick reference guides cover the following topics:
- Primary prevention of ARF
- Diagnosis of ARF
- Management of ARF
- Secondary prevention of ARF
- Management of RHD
- RHD in pregnancy
- RHD control programs
Guidelines
- Access the guidelines and quick reference guides on the RHDAustralia website
- Printed copies are available from control programs. Visit RHDAustralia for contact details.
- For those not located in the Northern Territory, Queensland, Western Australia or South Australia please email info@rhdaustralia.org.au.
- Key information from the guideline is available to access from your iPhone, iPad and Android phone for free.
eLearning modules
RHDAustralia has two suites of self-paced accredited eLearning modules.- Clinician modules: Fifteen specialised modules developed by clinicians for clinicians on RHD topics such as pregnancy, mitral valve disease, medical management of aortic valve disease and dental care.
- Health worker modules: For the entire health workforce to provide a basic understanding of best-practice approaches to the prevention, diagnosis and management of ARF and RHD.
Information for your patients
- The RHDAustralia website has information for patients, families and communities about prevention and treatment of acute rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease.
Heart Health Check Toolkit
Heart Health Check Toolkit
You can help keep families like Paul’s together.
You can help keep families like Paul’s together.
You can help keep families like Paul’s together.
Archie was only 11 when he saw his dad, Paul, suffer a heart attack on the hockey field. ...
Smart Heart Guidelines App
Smart Heart Guidelines App
Access to Australian heart disease guidelines is now free at your fingertips...
Dessert recipes
Dessert recipes
Dessert recipes
Find heart healthy dessert recipes....
Healthy Active by Design
Healthy Active by Design
Healthy Active by Design
Improving the design of our cities, towns, streets and buildings makes it easier for Australians to lead heart-healthy lives....
What is an arrhythmia?
What is an arrhythmia?
What is an arrhythmia?
Arrhythmia is a fault in the heart’s electrical system, which affects your heart’s pumping rhythm....
The one that took Jan’s breath away
The one that took Jan’s breath away
The one that took Jan’s breath away
Open heart surgery to treat damaged heart valves has improved Jan's overall health....
Key Statistics: Heart attack
Key Statistics: Heart attack
Statistics and information on heart attack in Australia...
Nourishing chicken soup
Nourishing chicken soup
Nourishing chicken soup
Cardiac Rehabilitation Advocacy
Cardiac Rehabilitation Advocacy
Key Statistics: Risk Factors For Cardiovascular Disease
Key Statistics: Risk Factors For Cardiovascular Disease
Do you have a Heart Story to share?
Do you have a Heart Story to share?
Do you have a Heart Story to share?
Sharing your story could help another Australian just like you to overcome their heart challenges...
Stay informed about COVID-19
Stay informed about COVID-19
Stay informed about COVID-19
If you have heart disease, you are more vulnerable to severe complications....
Chicken recipes
Chicken recipes
Chicken recipes
Find heart healthy chicken recipes....
Support us and help save Australian hearts
Support us and help save Australian hearts
Support us and help save Australian hearts
Join the fight against Australia’s biggest killer by supporting the Heart Foundation. ...
Q&A with Dr Jennifer Browne
Q&A with Dr Jennifer Browne
Food and Nutrition Policy for First Nations peoples – translating evidence into action...
What waist measurements mean for your heart
What waist measurements mean for your heart
What waist measurements mean for your heart
How your waist measurement contributes to your heart health...
Atrial fibrillation resources for patients
Atrial fibrillation resources for patients
Learning to listen to your heart
Learning to listen to your heart
Learning to listen to your heart
Guest blog by Heart Foundation of Australia Group CEO, Adjunct Professor John G Kelly AM...
Asian recipes
Asian recipes
Asian recipes
Find heart healthy Asian recipes....
Q&A with Lauren Blekkenhorst
Q&A with Lauren Blekkenhorst
Q&A with Lauren Blekkenhorst
Research to develop better evidence for the vascular and metabolic health benefits of vegetables and their bioactive constituents....
Norm discovered he was at risk of a major heart attack just in the nick of time
Norm discovered he was at risk of a major heart attack just in the nick of time
Norm discovered he was at risk of a major heart attack just in the nick of time
Norm didn’t worry too much about his cholesterol problem – until an angiogram revealed he had an 80 per cent blockage in a major heart artery. ...
Aboriginal heart health
Aboriginal heart health
Aboriginal heart health
Visit the St Vincents Hospital NSW and Heart Foundation Aboriginal heart health website for more information...
$8 million for research into Australia's biggest killer - heart disease
$8 million for research into Australia's biggest killer - heart disease
$8 million for research into Australia's biggest killer - heart disease
Media release - 3 June 2021...
Heart Safe Community
Heart Safe Community
Heart Safe Community
Heart Safe Community is a program that aims to increase a person’s chance of survival if they suffer a cardiac arrest outside of hospital. ...
Our history
Our history
Our history
For more than 60 years the Heart Foundation has been helping improve heart health across the nation....
Being a carer for a heart attack patient
Being a carer for a heart attack patient
Being a carer for a heart attack patient
Your role as a carer for a heart attack patient is an important one – explore some useful things to know....
Q&A with Dr Louise Segan
Q&A with Dr Louise Segan
Q&A with Dr Louise Segan
Optimal treatment of atrial fibrillation in people with cardiac dysfunction and scarring of the heart ...
WEBINAR | Research Alumni Series 2020
WEBINAR | Research Alumni Series 2020
WEBINAR | Research Alumni Series 2020
The Heart Foundation is delivering a research webinar series for Heart Foundation research alumni....
Risk factors for women
Risk factors for women
Risk factors for women
In Australia, 90% of women have one risk factor for heart disease, and 50% have two or more. ...