What Is Endocarditis?

Simply put, endocarditis is an inflammation and infection of certain parts of the heart including the lining inside the heart and the valves of the heart. Most people are not at risk for this disease if they have a healthy heart and a family history of little-to-no heart problems.

Causes of Endocarditis

The cause of endocarditis is the result of a bacterial infection that gets into the blood stream. As the blood is pumped through the heart, the bacteria attach themselves to the inner lining or heart valves. The primary way that the bacterial infection can be caught is from improper dental health, and certain surgeries, such as heart valve replacement.

If you have bleeding gums as a result of gingivitis, you should seek treatment from your dentist to resolve this problem and prevent a bacterial infection as well as reduce your risk for endocarditis.

Other causes of this disease are related to problems associated with the heart. If you have a heart defect or other problems that result in abnormal blood flow then the risks for endocarditis are higher. People that inject themselves with illegal drugs without using a clean needle or sterilizing the skin prior to injection are at risk for this disease. People that have HIV or AIDS are also at higher risk than other people.

Symptoms of Endocarditis

Symptoms of this disease are the result of a bacterial infection. As the bacteria settles and attaches itself to either the heart valves or lining inside the heart, an infected person may show symptoms that mimic the flu, such as headache, fever, tiredness, weakness, chills, body aches, joint pain, coughing, night sweats, rapid loss of weight, and shortness of breath.

Other symptoms that can develop as the disease progress include purple or red spots forming just under the skin on various parts of the body and red spots under the fingernails, which indicate they are bleeding.

Diagnosis and Treatment of Endocarditis

If symptoms last for an extended period of time, you should consult with your medical provider. They might order tests to check for endocarditis if they feel you are at risk for the disease. Treatment normally consists of antibiotics that should be taken as prescribed.