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
Fundraise to save Australian hearts
Fundraise to save Australian hearts
Fundraise to save Australian hearts
Join our community of fundraisers who are committed to taking action to fight heart disease....
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. ...
Are you at risk of heart disease?
Are you at risk of heart disease?
Are you at risk of heart disease?
There is no single cause for any one heart condition, but there are risk factors that increase your chance of developing one. ...
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...
How we fought heart disease in 2020
How we fought heart disease in 2020
How we fought heart disease in 2020
Everything we do is possible thanks to the generosity of our supporters. ...
Heart Foundation Recovery Support and Resources
Heart Foundation Recovery Support and Resources
Heart Foundation Recovery Support and Resources
Heart Foundation programs and resources to support your recovery....
Celebrate the life of someone you love by giving to the Heart Foundation in their memory
Celebrate the life of someone you love by giving to the Heart Foundation in their memory
Celebrate the life of someone you love by giving to the Heart Foundation in their memory
NSW Cardiovascular Research Network
NSW Cardiovascular Research Network
NSW Cardiovascular Research Network
Encouraging cardiovascular research excellence in NSW ...
Know your risk: Family history and heart disease
Know your risk: Family history and heart disease
Know your risk: Family history and heart disease
A family history of heart disease could mean you are at greater risk....
What is heart disease?
What is heart disease?
What is heart disease?
Heart disease is the broad term for conditions that affect the structure and function of the heart muscle. ...
Pilbara Aboriginal Heart Health Program
Pilbara Aboriginal Heart Health Program
Pilbara Aboriginal Heart Health Program
The program works with local communities to help improve heart health in the Pilbara....
Join Kate in making a difference to future generations
Join Kate in making a difference to future generations
Join Kate in making a difference to future generations
Kate wanted to find a way she could make a difference to future generations...
Donate Monthly | Become a Regular Donor
Donate Monthly | Become a Regular Donor
Donate Monthly | Become a Regular Donor
Join the fight against heart disease....
Heart Foundation delivers $17.2 million for cutting-edge heart research in a challenging year
Heart Foundation delivers $17.2 million for cutting-edge heart research in a challenging year
Heart Foundation delivers $17.2 million for cutting-edge heart research in a challenging year
Media Release 20 October 2020...
Lunch recipes
Lunch recipes
Lunch recipes
Search our lunch recipe ideas...
Returning to work after a heart attack
Returning to work after a heart attack
Returning to work after a heart attack
Discover how to plan for your return to work....
When The Heart Gets Heavy: Emotional Wellbeing and Heart Conditions
When The Heart Gets Heavy: Emotional Wellbeing and Heart Conditions
Emotional wellbeing is like having a garden, sometimes it grows green on its own, other times it needs watering, cutting back or fertilising....
Heart attack recovery – your first month
Heart attack recovery – your first month
Heart attack recovery – your first month
Explore the Heart Foundation’s guide on what to expect in the first month after your heart attack. ...
Coronary Artery Calcium Score
Coronary Artery Calcium Score
A Coronary Artery Calcium Score or CT Calcium test can be used to estimate your risk of heart attack or stroke....
Smoking and your heart
Smoking and your heart
Smoking and your heart
Understand how smoking can impact your heart health. ...
Kylie defied the heart attack stereotypes
Kylie defied the heart attack stereotypes
Kylie defied the heart attack stereotypes
Cardiac rehabilitation was a turning point for Kylie and essential to her heart failure recovery....
The Heart Foundation Research Program
The Heart Foundation Research Program
The Heart Foundation Research Program
We are Australia’s biggest non-government funder of world-class research into heart health. Learn more about our high impact research. ...
Become a corporate partner
Become a corporate partner
Become a corporate partner
Partner with us to help us fight for Australian hearts....
Find a cardiac rehabilitation service near you
Find a cardiac rehabilitation service near you
This cardiac services directory presents information on cardiac rehab programs offered across Australia....
After being treated for atrial fibrillation, Boyd is now back on track
After being treated for atrial fibrillation, Boyd is now back on track
After being treated for atrial fibrillation, Boyd is now back on track
Running has been an important part of Boyd's life, so imagine his shock when a heart condition he had never heard of threatened to put a stop to it. ...
Heart attack recovery – quit smoking
Heart attack recovery – quit smoking
Heart attack recovery – quit smoking
Smoking is a major risk factor for heart disease. Get the facts on quitting and how it can help you recover. ...
Blueprint for an active Australia
Blueprint for an active Australia
Blueprint for an active Australia
The Blueprint for an active Australia provides evidence-based actions to help address physical inactivity....
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...
Workplace giving for employees
Workplace giving for employees
Workplace giving for employees
Your employer’s workplace giving program makes it easy to setup regular, tax-deductible donations from your pre-tax income. ...