What is endocarditis?
Endocarditis is inflammation of the endocardium, the layer of tissue that lines your heart valves and chambers. Most often caused by an infection, endocarditis occurs when germs enter your bloodstream, travel to the heart and attach to the endocardium—usually to the surfaces of one of the four heart valves. Without swift treatment, endocarditis can cause serious health problems and may be life-threatening.
Types of endocarditis
Providers often refer to endocarditis as infective, as most cases are caused by a bacterial infection, but it can also be caused by a viral or fungal infection. Bacteria or fungi join with proteins and blood cells to form clumps called vegetations on the endocardium. If these buildups break loose, they can cause a spread of the infection to other organs or restrict blood flow to organs such as the heart or brain.
Less commonly, endocarditis can be noninfective, which means only proteins and blood cells form vegetations. Doctors aren’t sure why noninfective endocarditis occurs.
Endocarditis is also categorized by how quickly or when it develops. Types include:
- Acute endocarditis: This type develops suddenly and, within days, may become life-threatening, which makes prompt treatment essential.
- Subacute endocarditis: This type forms more slowly than acute endocarditis, taking weeks or months to develop.
- Prosthetic valvular endocarditis: This type develops after heart valve replacement surgery if the germs become attached to the prosthetic valve.
Endocarditis symptoms
Endocarditis symptoms vary from person to person depending on the type of infection. With acute endocarditis, symptoms may occur without warning. With subacute endocarditis, symptoms may develop gradually. Severe symptoms may make you feel very ill. Some people, though, experience only mild symptoms.
Symptoms of endocarditis include:
- Back, muscle or joint pain
- Blood in your urine
- Chest pain
- Chills
- Cough
- Fatigue
- Fever
- Heart murmur
- Night sweats
- Red or purple bumps or other skin changes
- Shortness of breath
- Stomach pain
- Weight loss
When to see a doctor
See your primary care doctor if you have endocarditis symptoms or signs of an infection, such as a fever and body aches. Endocarditis is rare, and having an infection does not mean you will necessarily develop the infection in your heart. Still, seeking treatment for an infection as soon as possible can help you avoid serious complications. Similarly, diagnosing and treating endocarditis quickly protects your heart from long-term damage.
Endocarditis causes
In most cases, endocarditis occurs due to infection by bacteria. These bacteria may live on your body or in your mouth. They may also come from an infection elsewhere in your body, such as the urinary tract. Bacteria can enter your bloodstream through cuts or scratches or during dental or surgical procedures.
Less commonly, infections with yeast or other fungi can also cause endocarditis. Yeast, like some bacteria, can also live on your body and enter the bloodstream through wounds or surgery.
