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Illustration of the heart, front view

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    • Services and providers for Endocarditis in the U.S.

  • National Institutes of Health

Endocarditis is an inflammation of your heart's inner lining. The most common type, bacterial endocarditis, occurs when germs enter your heart. These germs come through your bloodstream from another part of your body, often your mouth. Bacterial endocarditis can damage your heart valves. If untreated, it can be life-threatening. It is rare in healthy hearts.

Risk factors include having

  • An abnormal or damaged heart valve
  • A severe case of mitral valve prolapse
  • An artificial heart valve
  • Certain heart defects

If you have a high risk of bacterial endocarditis, your doctor might prescribe antibiotics before dental work and certain types of surgery.

Early treatment can help you avoid complications. Symptoms you might notice include fever, shortness of breath, fluid buildup in your arms or legs, tiny red spots on your skin and weight loss. Treatment usually involves high-dose antibiotics.

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  • Endocarditis(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research)
  • EndocarditisFrom the National Institutes of Health(National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute)

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U.S. National Library of Medicine, 8600 Rockville Pike, Bethesda, MD 20894
National Institutes of Health | Department of Health & Human Services 		Date last updated: 13 April 2009
Topic last reviewed: 19 March 2009