Nguyen Thi Ngan
Ngân is a 45 year old farmer. Two years ago she was thrown from the back of her husbands motorcycle when he swerved to avoid a child in the road. She fell heavily, severing a tendon in her leg. A six-inch scar across the bridge of her left foot indicates recent surgery.
While she was receiving treatment for this tendon injury, tests revealed evidence of stenotic mitral and aortic heart valves.
Ngan says she has no memory of a specific illness – but heart valve failure is a commonly diagnosed condition in Vietnam, and is often the result of childhood Rheumatic Fever. Untreated streptococcal infection, such as strep throat, is usually the cause. Although Rheumatic fever occurs most often in children aged 5 to 15, the symptoms of valve disease may not be seen for years.
Stenotic valve disease requires the heart to pump harder, which can strain the coronary system. Untreated, heart valve stenosis can cause chest pain, shortness of breath (due to heart failure), and fainting. In a small percentage of patients with heart valve stenosis, the first symptom is sudden death, usually during strenuous exertion.
Without treatment, the average life expectancy after the onset of heart failure due to heart valve stenosis is between 6 and 24 months.
While she was receiving treatment for this tendon injury, tests revealed evidence of stenotic mitral and aortic heart valves.
Ngan says she has no memory of a specific illness – but heart valve failure is a commonly diagnosed condition in Vietnam, and is often the result of childhood Rheumatic Fever. Untreated streptococcal infection, such as strep throat, is usually the cause. Although Rheumatic fever occurs most often in children aged 5 to 15, the symptoms of valve disease may not be seen for years.
Stenotic valve disease requires the heart to pump harder, which can strain the coronary system. Untreated, heart valve stenosis can cause chest pain, shortness of breath (due to heart failure), and fainting. In a small percentage of patients with heart valve stenosis, the first symptom is sudden death, usually during strenuous exertion.
Without treatment, the average life expectancy after the onset of heart failure due to heart valve stenosis is between 6 and 24 months.
Ngan's family is poor. She works as an occasional farmer and itinerant laborer, and, since his wife’s diagnosis, has become the sole provider for the family. In addition to maintaining the household of four, he must generate additional income to pay the interest on a 20 million VND bank loan, which finances the education of their two children. The two children both attend Quảng Nam University in Tam Ky. Her daughter is studying for a career as a music teacher, and travels the 12 km to and from school by bicycle. Her brother, an Information Technology student, gets a ride on a friends motorcycle, and arrives home from school while we are visiting. He will graduate next year. In the meantime, he works as a laborer with his father on weekends to help support the family
With a combined income of less than 400,000 VND a month, the family qualifies for medical insurance funded by their Commune. Of the 80 million VND fee for the necessary heart valve operation, insurance will cover 30 million. The family has requested assistance from the VNHIP to cover the additional 50 million VND.
Surgery was completed in Đa Nang with our support. Ngan went home and backed to work to provide for her family.
With a combined income of less than 400,000 VND a month, the family qualifies for medical insurance funded by their Commune. Of the 80 million VND fee for the necessary heart valve operation, insurance will cover 30 million. The family has requested assistance from the VNHIP to cover the additional 50 million VND.
Surgery was completed in Đa Nang with our support. Ngan went home and backed to work to provide for her family.