What is Endocarditis?
According to the Cardiovascular Department of NorhShore University HealthSystem, endocarditis is an infection of the inner lining or valves of the heart. It is most common in people with a damaged, diseased or artificial heart valves. Endocarditis is caused by bacteria which enters the bloodstream and settles in the heart. Often, this bacteria enters the bloodstream during some surgical and dental procedures.
People with heart conditions are at high risk of developing endocarditis because it is more likely that bacteria will attach to heart tissue. Having endocarditis in the past, heart defects since birth and heart valve problems after a heart transplant make getting endocarditis even more dangerous. Other risk factors include: having hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, hemodialisis or AIDS, and drug use involving needles.
Symptoms of endocarditis include chills and fever, fatigue, weight loss, night sweats, painful joints, persistent cough and shortness of breath, bleeding under the fingernails and tiny purple and red spots under the skin. Although symptoms may seem vague, if they do not go away and you know you are at risk of endocarditis, contact your doctor immediately.
Treatment of endocarditis includes antibiotics and/or surgery. Untreated endocarditis can form growths on or around the heart valves, preventing them from properly functioning. Overtime, this could lead to heart failure, kidney failure and stroke.
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