Endocarditis

Endocarditis is a serious illness that affects the inner lining of your heart's chambers and valves. This lining is called the endocardium. It's like a very thin, smooth layer that helps your blood flow smoothly through your heart.

Usually, endocarditis happens when germs, like bacteria or fungi, enter your bloodstream and stick to damaged parts of your heart. These germs can cause inflammation and infection. Certain things can make you more vulnerable to getting endocarditis. For example, having artificial heart valves, damaged natural heart valves, or other heart problems can increase your risk. If you have a weakened immune system, you may also be more susceptible. This means your body might not be able to fight off infections as effectively.

If endocarditis isn't treated quickly, it can severely damage or even destroy your heart valves. This can lead to serious problems with your heart's ability to pump blood effectively.

Treatment for endocarditis typically involves strong medications to kill the infection and sometimes surgery to repair or replace damaged heart valves. The specific treatment will depend on the severity of the infection and the condition of your heart.

Endocarditis, an infection of the heart's inner lining, can cause a wide range of symptoms. How quickly the infection develops and what symptoms appear depend on several factors, including the type of germ causing the infection and whether the person already has any heart conditions.

Endocarditis symptoms can be subtle or noticeable. Some common signs include:

• Body aches: Pain in your joints and muscles.
• Breathing problems: Discomfort or pain in your chest when you breathe.
• Feeling tired: A general lack of energy.
• Flu-like feelings: Fever, chills, and general illness.
• Night sweats: Sweating while you sleep.
• Trouble breathing: Feeling short of breath, even when resting.
• Swelling: Puffiness in your feet, legs, or belly.
• Heart sound changes: A new or different whooshing sound (called a heart murmur) that your doctor might hear during a physical exam.

Less common symptoms might include:

• Weight loss: Losing weight without trying.
• Blood in the urine: Seeing blood in your pee.
• Spleen pain: Tenderness or pain in the area below your left ribs (where your spleen is located).
• Skin spots (Janeway lesions): Small, painless, flat spots that are red, purple, or brown, often on the soles of the feet or palms of the hands.
• Skin bumps (Osler nodes): Small, painful, raised bumps or patches of darkened skin (hyperpigmented) on the tips of your fingers or toes.
• Small skin spots (petechiae): Tiny, purple, red, or brown spots on the skin, inside the mouth, or on the whites of your eyes.

If you experience any of these symptoms, especially if they persist, it's important to see a doctor. Early diagnosis and treatment are crucial for managing endocarditis effectively.

Endocarditis is a heart infection. If you think you might have endocarditis, see a doctor right away. This is especially important if you have a birth defect of the heart or have had endocarditis before. Other, less serious conditions can cause similar symptoms, so a doctor's proper evaluation is necessary to know for sure.

If you already have been diagnosed with endocarditis and are experiencing any of these symptoms, tell your doctor immediately. These symptoms could mean the infection is getting worse:

• Shivering (chills): Feeling cold and shaking.
• Fever: A higher than normal body temperature.
• Headaches: Pain in the head.
• Joint pain: Soreness or aching in your joints.
• Shortness of breath: Difficulty breathing, feeling like you can't get enough air.

These symptoms can signal the infection is spreading or worsening, and prompt medical attention is crucial.

Endocarditis is an infection of the heart's inner lining, usually caused by tiny organisms like bacteria or fungi. These organisms get into the bloodstream and then move to the heart. They often settle on damaged parts of the heart valves or the heart's inner lining.

Normally, your body's immune system fights off harmful bacteria that enter your bloodstream. However, sometimes bacteria already living on your skin, in your mouth, throat, or digestive system (intestines) can enter the bloodstream and cause endocarditis if certain conditions are present. This means that even everyday bacteria can become a problem if the conditions are right.

Endocarditis is a heart infection that happens when germs enter the bloodstream and infect the heart's inner lining. This infection can be serious if not treated. Problems with the heart valves are a common reason for this infection, but it can happen even if your heart valves are healthy.

Several things can increase your chance of getting endocarditis:

• Age: Endocarditis is most often seen in adults over 60. As we get older, our bodies may be more susceptible to infections.

• Artificial Heart Valves: Replacement heart valves (prosthetic valves) are man-made and can be more likely to attract germs than natural heart valves. This is because the surface of the artificial valve is different from the natural heart tissue.

• Damaged Heart Valves: If your heart valves are damaged or scarred, for example, due to rheumatic fever (a bacterial infection) or other illnesses, germs can more easily settle and multiply on the damaged areas, leading to infection. Having had endocarditis before also increases your risk.

• Birth Defects (Congenital Heart Defects): If you were born with problems in your heart structure or valves, the abnormal heart tissues can be more prone to attracting germs. These problems can make it easier for bacteria to enter the heart and cause endocarditis.

• Implanted Devices: Pacemakers and other medical devices implanted in the heart can provide a surface for bacteria to grow and potentially cause an infection.

• IV Drug Use: Sharing or using dirty needles for intravenous (IV) drugs like heroin or cocaine exposes the body to many germs that can enter the bloodstream and infect the heart. The risk is especially high with contaminated needles.

• Poor Dental Health: Good oral hygiene is important for overall health. If you don't brush and floss regularly, bacteria can build up in your mouth. These bacteria can enter the bloodstream through small cuts or sores in the gums, or even during dental procedures.

• Long-Term Catheters: A catheter is a thin tube used for medical procedures. If a catheter is left in place for a long time (an "indwelling" catheter), it can create a pathway for bacteria to enter the bloodstream and cause infection in the heart.

Endocarditis is a condition where clumps of germs and body cells, called vegetations, grow in the heart. These clumps can detach and move throughout the body, traveling to vital organs like the brain, lungs, kidneys, and even the arms and legs.

This wandering can lead to serious problems. For example, the vegetations can cause:

• Heart problems: Endocarditis can damage the heart's ability to pump blood efficiently, leading to heart failure. It can also harm the heart valves, making it hard for the heart to work properly.
• Brain issues: If the clumps reach the brain, they can cause a stroke.
• Organ infections: The clumps can also travel to other organs, potentially leading to pockets of infection called abscesses in the brain, lungs, or other parts of the body.
• Lung problems: A blood clot that forms from the vegetations and travels to an artery in the lungs (pulmonary embolism) can be life-threatening.
• Kidney damage: Endocarditis can harm the kidneys, impacting their function.
• Spleen enlargement: In some cases, the spleen, an organ that helps fight infection, can become enlarged due to endocarditis.

Endocarditis is a serious infection of the heart. Here are ways to lower your risk:

1. Recognize the warning signs. If you notice any signs of infection, see a doctor right away. This includes a fever that won't go away, feeling very tired for no reason, any skin infection (like a rash or boil), or cuts or sores that don't heal. Early diagnosis and treatment are key to preventing endocarditis complications.

2. Keep your mouth healthy. Brushing and flossing your teeth regularly, and getting regular dental checkups, are crucial for preventing infections in your mouth. Healthy teeth and gums are vital for your overall health. This helps prevent bacteria from entering your bloodstream, a common way endocarditis starts.

3. Avoid intravenous (IV) drug use. Using illegal drugs that require intravenous injection (IV) carries a high risk of infection. Used needles can introduce harmful bacteria directly into your bloodstream, greatly increasing your chances of developing endocarditis. If you have a problem with IV drug use, seek help from a healthcare professional. There are resources to support you.

Diagnosing Endocarditis: Tests and Procedures

Doctors use a combination of methods to diagnose endocarditis, a heart infection. First, they'll ask about your medical history and symptoms and do a physical exam. Then, they'll order tests to confirm or rule out the infection.

Here are some common tests used:

Echocardiogram: This test uses sound waves to create pictures of your heart as it beats. It shows how well your heart's chambers and valves are working and the structure of your heart. There are two main types:

• Transthoracic echocardiogram: A handheld device (transducer) is placed on your chest to send and receive sound waves that bounce off your heart. This creates images of the outer parts of the heart.

• Transesophageal echocardiogram: A thin, flexible tube with a transducer is inserted down your throat and into your esophagus (the tube connecting your mouth to your stomach). This allows for much clearer, more detailed pictures of the heart's inner structures, which can be helpful in diagnosing endocarditis.

Blood Culture Test: This test looks for germs in your blood. The results help doctors choose the right antibiotics to treat the infection if endocarditis is confirmed.

Complete Blood Count (CBC): This test looks at your blood cells. A high white blood cell count may indicate an infection, and a low red blood cell count (anemia) can also be a sign of endocarditis. Other blood tests might also be done.

Electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG): This painless test measures the electrical activity of your heart. Sensors (electrodes) are placed on your chest, arms, and sometimes legs. While not specifically used to diagnose endocarditis, an ECG can detect if something is affecting your heart's electrical activity.

Chest X-Ray: A chest X-ray shows the condition of your lungs and heart. It can help determine if endocarditis has caused swelling in your heart or if the infection has spread to your lungs.

CT Scan or MRI: If your doctor suspects the infection has spread to other parts of your body, like your brain or chest, they might order a CT scan or MRI. These tests use different technologies to create detailed images of the inside of your body.