Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsFrequent SymptomsRisk Factors and ComplicationsWhen to Seek Care
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Frequent Symptoms
Risk Factors and Complications
When to Seek Care
In this article, you will learn about the symptoms of endocarditis, associated risk factors and complications, and signs that indicate it’s time to see a healthcare provider.
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Acute vs. Subacute Infective Endocarditis
Endocarditis symptoms can develop differently from person to person. They can be severe, mild, come on suddenly, or happen slowly.Acute endocarditis comes on quickly and requires immediate medical attention. Subacute cases develop slowly, and you may not suspect you have a problem with your heart.
Pay attention to symptoms and contact your healthcare provider if you experience any new or sudden health changes.
The most common symptoms of endocarditis are:
A preexisting medical condition can cause complications for people with endocarditis. Bacteria grow more readily on damaged heart valves, so people with a history of heart surgeries or congenital heart abnormalities are at an increased risk of developing this infection.
Risk factors that can cause complications include the following:
Your heart valve does not get a direct blood supply, so if bacteria enter the valves, white blood cells can’t reach them to help fight the infection.AStaphylococcus aureus(staph) infection is the most common bacteria that cause endocarditis. It gets into your blood through medical or dental procedures or IV drug use.
Dental Procedures and EndocarditisIt’s rare for a dental procedure to cause endocarditis, but some people are at higher risk of this occurring. People with artificial heart valves or repaired artificial valves, people who have had a previous endocarditis infection, adults or children with congenital heart abnormalities, and those with a heart transplant may be prescribed antibiotics before certain dental procedures to prevent infection.
Dental Procedures and Endocarditis
It’s rare for a dental procedure to cause endocarditis, but some people are at higher risk of this occurring. People with artificial heart valves or repaired artificial valves, people who have had a previous endocarditis infection, adults or children with congenital heart abnormalities, and those with a heart transplant may be prescribed antibiotics before certain dental procedures to prevent infection.
Other complications of endocarditis include:
Is Still’s Murmur (Musical Heart) Dangerous?
When to See a Healthcare Provider
Because endocarditis involves heart function, a few symptoms require emergency medical treatment. If you are at an increased risk of developing endocarditis, call your healthcare provider if you experience the following:
Some symptoms require emergency treatment. Call 911 if you have:
Summary
The most common symptoms of endocarditis include chest pains, shortness of breath, coughing, or fever/chills. Other symptoms include muscle or joint pain, broken blood vessels or flat red bumps on the skin, and a worsening heart murmur (or developing a new murmur). Symptoms can occur suddenly or come on slowly. Some people could experience mild symptoms, while others have severe symptoms that need immediate medical treatment.
10 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Institutes of Health.Heart Inflammation-symptoms.American Heart Association.Heart valves and infective endocarditis.MedlinePlus.Endocarditis.National Institutes of Health.What is heart inflammation?University of California School of Medicine.Heart failure signs and symptoms.MedlinePlus.Heart murmurs.Harvard Medical School.5 overlooked symptom that may signal heart trouble.National Institutes of Health.Heart inflammation - causes and risk factors.American Heart Association.Good dental health may help prevent heart infection from mouth bacteria.National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD).Infective endocarditis.
10 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Institutes of Health.Heart Inflammation-symptoms.American Heart Association.Heart valves and infective endocarditis.MedlinePlus.Endocarditis.National Institutes of Health.What is heart inflammation?University of California School of Medicine.Heart failure signs and symptoms.MedlinePlus.Heart murmurs.Harvard Medical School.5 overlooked symptom that may signal heart trouble.National Institutes of Health.Heart inflammation - causes and risk factors.American Heart Association.Good dental health may help prevent heart infection from mouth bacteria.National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD).Infective endocarditis.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
National Institutes of Health.Heart Inflammation-symptoms.American Heart Association.Heart valves and infective endocarditis.MedlinePlus.Endocarditis.National Institutes of Health.What is heart inflammation?University of California School of Medicine.Heart failure signs and symptoms.MedlinePlus.Heart murmurs.Harvard Medical School.5 overlooked symptom that may signal heart trouble.National Institutes of Health.Heart inflammation - causes and risk factors.American Heart Association.Good dental health may help prevent heart infection from mouth bacteria.National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD).Infective endocarditis.
National Institutes of Health.Heart Inflammation-symptoms.
American Heart Association.Heart valves and infective endocarditis.
MedlinePlus.Endocarditis.
National Institutes of Health.What is heart inflammation?
University of California School of Medicine.Heart failure signs and symptoms.
MedlinePlus.Heart murmurs.
Harvard Medical School.5 overlooked symptom that may signal heart trouble.
National Institutes of Health.Heart inflammation - causes and risk factors.
American Heart Association.Good dental health may help prevent heart infection from mouth bacteria.
National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD).Infective endocarditis.
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