Definition:

Click Here to print this page

Endocarditis is an inflammation of the inside lining of your heart chambers and valves. This usually occurs when bacteria or other germs move into your blood stream and lodge on your heart valve.

Symptoms of Endocarditis:

• Blood in urine or abnormal urine color
• Chills
• Excessive sweating
• Fatigue
• Fever
• Heart murmur
• Joint pain
• Muscle aches and pains
• Nail abnormalities(lines of blood beneath your nail)
• Night sweats
• Paleness
• Red, painful skin spots on palm pf your hands or soles of your feet
• Red, painful nodes on the pads of your fingers and toes
• Swelling of your feet, legs or stomach
• Shortness of breath with activity
• Weight loss
• Weakness

These symptoms can develop slowly or suddenly.

Treatment:

If you are diagnosed with endocarditis you will need to be hospitalized to receive IV antibiotics. Your doctor will draw blood work to help identify what organism is damaging your heart. After finishing the IV antibiotics your doctor may send you home on oral antibiotics. Treatment for this condition usually takes 6 weeks.

Sometimes surgery is needed when your heart valve becomes extremely damaged.

Some dental and medical procedures allow germs to enter your blood stream. Talk to your doctor if you have concerns before a procedure that may require preventive antibiotics.