What does it mean if you have endocarditis?
What does it mean if you have endocarditis?
Endocarditis. Endocarditis is an infection that affects the inner lining of the heart (the endocardium), including the heart valves. It’s a rare, but potentially fatal condition that can cause damage your heart, so it requires early diagnosis and treatment.
Who is most at risk of developing endocarditis?
Since there are many ways you may develop endocarditis, your doctor might not be able to find the exact cause. However, those most at risk of endocarditis usually have damaged heart valves, artificial heart valves or other heart defects. Your risk of endocarditis is higher if you: are an intravenous drug user. How is endocarditis diagnosed?
What to do if you have endocarditis at Mayo Clinic?
Explore Mayo Clinic studies testing new treatments, interventions and tests as a means to prevent, detect, treat or manage this disease. If you’re at risk of endocarditis, let all of your health care providers know. You may want to request an endocarditis wallet card from the American Heart Association.
How does infective endocarditis spread outside the heart?
Infective endocarditis causes growths (vegetations) on the valves, produces toxins and enzymes which kill and break down the tissue to cause holes on the valve, and spreads outside the heart and the blood vessels. The resulting complications are embolism of material from the vegetations, leaky valve,…
How serious is endocarditis?
Endocarditis is an infection of the inner lining of the heart and heart valves. The condition is sometimes called infective endocarditis, and it can damage your heart, causing serious complications. Though infective endocarditis is potentially life threatening, most people who are treated with antibiotics recover.
Can a person die from endocarditis?
The grave question is “Can a person die of endocarditis” and the simple answer is “Yes, a person can die of endocarditis”.
How does endocarditis affect the body?
Infective endocarditis is an infection of the lining of the heart’s chambers (called the endocardium) or the heart’s valves. If left untreated, endocarditis can cause other complications, such as a blood clot (embolism), an irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia), valve damage or destruction, and, in time, congestive heart failure (CHF).
Who is most at risk for endocarditis?
People at highest risk of endocarditis are those who have: Artificial heart valves. Congenital heart defects. A history of endocarditis. Damaged heart valves. A history of intravenous (IV) illegal drug use.