Endocarditis, or infective endocarditis, is a rare infection of the inner lining of the heart’s chambers and valves. It is a serious condition that requires immediate medical attention, but it is treatable with antibiotics.

Endocarditis affects the endocardium, which is a layer of tissue that covers the chambers and valves of the heart. If a person has endocarditis, their endocardium may become inflamed.

The condition may cause someone to develop a fever or shortness of breath. Prompt treatment is necessary to prevent potentially serious complications.

Read on to learn more about endocarditis, including its symptoms, causes, treatments, and more.

Fever is the most commonTrusted Source symptom of endocarditis. Other common symptoms include:

Endocarditis can also cause:

Endocarditis usually occurs when bacteria or germs enter the bloodstream. These microorganisms may enter the blood via cuts or scrapes. Dental work and certain surgeries can also lead to endocarditis.

Fungi may also cause endocarditis. This is more likely in people with weakened immune systems, such as those with HIV, as their immune systems are less able to prevent the fungus from growing.

Damage to the heart valves and endocardium is the main risk factor for endocarditis. This is because the damaged tissue is susceptible to bacterial overgrowth.

People with certain health conditions may have a greater riskTrusted Source of endocarditis. These include:

  • heart valve conditions
  • congenital heart disease, particularly in cases where the repair uses artificial material
  • heart damage from rheumatic fever
  • mitral valve prolapse with leakage, which is when the mitral valve of the heart becomes floppy
  • aortic valve with two leaflets, which are the flaps that open and close the valve, instead of three
  • narrowing of the aortic valve

Previous heart surgery and having an artificial heart valve, defibrillator, or pacemaker may also increase the risk.

Other possible risk factors for endocarditis include:

  • intravenous drug use, which people inject via the veins
  • previous infection of endocarditis
  • taking immunosuppressive medication
  • undergoing any dental procedure while having additional risk factors
  • infections in other parts of the body

A person at risk of endocarditis may require antibiotics before undergoing dental procedures. This may help prevent an infection from developing.

A doctor may use several methods to diagnose endocarditis, including asking about a person’s symptoms and medical history.

They may also take a sample of a person’s blood if they suspect they have endocarditis. The doctor then sends this sample to a laboratory so lab technicians can check the blood for signs of infection.

Additionally, a doctor may request an echocardiogram, such as a transthoracic or transesophageal echocardiogram. An echocardiogram uses sound waves to create an image of a person’s heart. This test allows a doctor to examine the heart’s structure and check for clumps of bacteria and cells known as vegetation.

A doctor may also request a CT scan if other tests are inconclusive.

Without prompt treatment, endocarditis may cause serious heart damage or death. A person needs to speak with a doctor immediately if they notice any signs of endocarditis.

A doctor will generally use high doses of intravenous antibiotics to treat a person with endocarditis. An individual may require antibiotics for at least 6 to 8 weeks.

However, antibiotics may not be enough to treat some people with endocarditis. These individuals may require surgery to remove the tissue with the infection. If a person has an infection of the artificial material in their heart, a surgeon may need to remove and replace it.

Endocarditis may cause a person to develop additional complications. These may include:

  • leaking of the heart valve
  • irregular heartbeat
  • heart failure
  • heart abscesses
  • blood clots
  • clots in the brain that cause weakness on one side of the body, loss of vision, or stroke
  • bleeding in the back of the eye
  • abdominal pain, side pain, or reduced blood flow to the arms or legs due to clots

If vegetation breaks off from the heart, it can travel through the bloodstream. From there, it may:

  • block blood flow
  • spread infection
  • damage the organs, including the brain, lungs, kidneys, and spleen

What is the most common cause of endocarditis?

Bacteria cause most cases of endocarditis. The most common bacteria responsible for endocarditis includeTrusted Source gram-positive streptococci, staphylococci, and enterococci.

What is the life expectancy of someone with endocarditis?

The life expectancy for a person with endocarditis may vary depending on certain factors, such as:

  • the severity of the infection
  • development of additional complications
  • preexisting conditions
  • having an artificial valve

The mortality rate of endocarditis is around 20% within 30 days of infection. A person is unlikely to survive without antibiotics.

Seeking immediate medical help as soon as someone has concerns about endocarditis may help improve their outlook.

Can you recover from endocarditis?

With proper treatment, most people who have endocarditis recover from it. Receiving a diagnosis and beginning treatment as early as possible is essential.

Endocarditis is a rare infection of the endocardium that occurs due to bacteria, germs, or fungi entering a person’s bloodstream.

Endocarditis can cause symptoms such as fever, chills, night sweats, and shortness of breath. If a person develops symptoms of endocarditis, they need to seek immediate medical advice. Without prompt treatment, it can cause serious heart damage or death.

Most people recover from endocarditis. Receiving an early diagnosis and beginning antibiotic treatment as early as possible can help improve a person’s outlook.