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Types of Heart Infections

The heart is susceptible to many types of infections. These can affect any part of the heart, including the lining (endocardium), the valves, and the heart muscle itself.

Bacterial Endocarditis

The most common type of infection to affect the heart is bacterial endocarditis, which can be serious and can sometimes lead to death. It happens when bacteria that are in the bloodstream float up into the heart.





elderly alarm bracelet It may happen after a heart procedure or surgery, and may also occur in people with pre-existing heart problems such as valve abnormalities or congenital heart defects. It’s more common in children and young adults with a family history of heart disease or other risk factors for developing congenital heart conditions.

Pericarditis

This is inflammation of the pericardium, the sac-like structure around your heart that keeps it separate and helps it to pump well. It can come on suddenly, called acute pericarditis, or gradually, called chronic pericarditis.

Symptoms of pericarditis include chest pain that feels like a heart attack and difficulty breathing. You may also cough up mucus that looks pink or is bloody. You may have swelling in your lower legs, which is a sign of fluid building up in those tissues because of your heart not pumping well enough.

Cardiomyopathy

This is a disease that can cause the muscles of your heart to enlarge and stiffen, causing the heart to work harder and less efficiently than usual. It’s most common in males and is caused by a family history of heart failure, sudden cardiac death or an inherited condition called hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. alert button elderly