Endocarditis occurs when a heart valve (or valves) becomes inflamed or infected. This can lead to serious problems, such as:

• Heart damage or failure – Damage of the heart valves can lead to a condition called “heart failure.” Heart failure is when the heart has trouble pumping blood around the body.
• Small growths (sometimes called vegetations) that form on the heart valves – Pieces of these growths can break off and travel through the blood to different parts of the body. They can then get stuck in and block off small blood vessels, causing stroke or organ damage.

Endocarditis is usually caused by bacteria. It can happen when an infection occurs in another part of the body and travels through the bloodstream to the heart, or when bacteria enter the body through the skin or mouth, such as during dental surgery, from long-term catheter use or from intravenous drug use.

Those with an existing heart condition or who have previously undergone heart valve surgery may be more susceptible to getting endocarditis.

Signs & Symptoms

The signs and symptoms of endocarditis usually include fever and chills. If the condition has caused problems with the heart or other organs, additional symptoms may develop. For example:

• People with heart failure may have trouble breathing and swelling in their feet or legs.
• People with kidney damage (caused by pieces of a growth that have broken off and traveled to the kidneys) may have red or brown urine.
• If pieces of a growth travel to and block blood vessels in the brain, this can cause a stroke — when part of the brain is damaged due to a problem with blood flow. Symptoms of a stroke can include trouble speaking, or weakness or numbness in one or both arms.

Diagnosis

To diagnose endocarditis, your provider will ask about symptoms and do an exam. During the exam, they will listen for a heart murmur, which is an extra sound in your heartbeat. A heart murmur is sometimes a sign of endocarditis.

Additional testing may be ordered, including:

• Blood tests, including a test called a “blood culture”
• A chest X-ray
• An electrocardiogram (ECG), which measures the electrical activity in your heart
• An echocardiogram (echo), which uses sound waves to create a picture of your heart as it beats