Strong Hearts, Strong Communities: Help Us End RHD in WA

Published on Tuesday, 29 September 2026 at 12:11:58 PM

What is Rheumatic Heart Disease?

Rheumatic Heart Disease (RHD) is a serious heart condition that can cause permanent damage to the heart.

RHD can develop after someone has had Acute Rheumatic Fever (ARF). This can happen when the body reacts to a bacterial infection, such as a sore throat or skin sores.

ARF can cause swelling inside the body, including around the heart. This can damage the heart valves, which help blood flow through the heart. If someone has ARF more than once, it can cause further damage to their heart.

RHD can affect anyone, but it is more common among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, particularly in remote communities.

How can RHD affect the heart?

RHD can affect people in different ways. Some people may not notice any symptoms at first, while others may start to feel unwell.

People living with RHD may experience:

• Feeling tired or weak

• Finding it hard to breathe

• Chest pain or discomfort

• Swelling in their feet or legs

• Finding it harder to do everyday activities

In serious cases, RHD can make it difficult for the heart to pump blood properly. Some people may need heart surgery.

People living with RHD need regular health checks and treatment to help keep their hearts strong and prevent further damage.

RHD is preventable

The good news is that RHD can be prevented.

One of the most important ways to prevent RHD is to get sore throats and skin sores checked and treated early.

If someone has had Acute Rheumatic Fever, they may need regular antibiotic injections or other prescribed antibiotics to help prevent it from happening again and protect their heart.

Keeping our families and communities healthy also means making sure people have access to healthcare, healthy living conditions and the support they need.

By looking after our health, getting infections treated early and supporting one another, we can help protect our hearts and work towards ending RHD in our communities.

Community voices are part of the solution

For people and communities who have experienced RHD, lived experience provides valuable insight into the challenges of prevention, diagnosis, treatment and ongoing care.

That is why community voices need to be part of the conversation about how we work towards ending RHD in Western Australia.

Yura Yungi Aboriginal Medical Service, in partnership with the Aboriginal Health Council of Western Australia (AHCWA), is inviting community members and people with lived experience to take part in an upcoming RHD community workshop in Halls Creek.

The workshop will provide an opportunity for community members to share their experiences, ideas and priorities and contribute to the development of an RHD Action Plan for WA.

RHD Community Workshop

Where: Yura Yungi Aboriginal Medical Service, Halls Creek
When: Tuesday 13 October 2026
Time: 10:00am – 1:00pm

The workshop is an opportunity to have your voice heard and help shape actions that reflect the needs and priorities of our communities.

Your voice. Your community. Your action plan.

To acknowledge and thank participants for sharing their time, knowledge and lived experience, participants will receive a gift voucher, free End RHD WA polo shirt and a free feed.

Be Part of the Conversation

Ending RHD requires all of us to play a part. By increasing awareness, supporting prevention, encouraging early treatment and listening to the experiences of people affected by RHD, we can work towards healthier hearts and stronger communities.

This World Heart Day, we are reminded of the importance of looking after our hearts and supporting one another to build a future where RHD no longer impacts our communities.

If you would like to take part in the RHD community workshop, please download the flyer attached and register using the QR code or visit our friendly staff in reception to register. All are welcome.