If you or someone you know has recently suffered from a heart infection, you are likely wondering what it is and what caused it.
Heart infections can inflict severe damage on your body organs, and fortunately, most cases are easily avoidable. Let’s look at why you should be aware of this condition and what you can do to protect yourself from it in the future.
Keep reading to learn more.
1. Autoimmune Diseases
A heart infection is often caused by bacteria that enter the bloodstream and settle on the heart valves. It is one type of heart disease exacerbated by autoimmune diseases. These illnesses occur when the body’s immune system goes off track and begins to treat healthy cells as foreign tissues.
Autoimmune diseases that can affect the heart, and contribute to the development of endocarditis, include rheumatic fever, lupus, and rheumatoid arthritis. All these illnesses can create inflammation in the heart valves and weaken the valve’s ability to protect the heart.
2. Medications and Drug Use
Medications and drug use are significant contributors to heart problems. Many medications and several illegal drugs, such as:
- ACE inhibitors
- angiotensin-2 receptor blockers
- calcium channel blockers
- diuretics
- sympathomimetic amines
- cocaine
- amphetamines
- methamphetamines
- alcohol
- other street drugs
They have all been linked to an increased risk of heart health. Some medications can increase your risk of infection by disrupting your body’s natural balance of heart rate, blood vessels, or oxygen levels. Abuse of certain medicines and drugs can also weaken your immune system, making it more difficult for your body to fight off infectious bacteria or viruses, which can lead to a heart infection.
If medications or drugs weaken your heart’s delicate tissues and valves, this can lead to infection. Overall, medications and drug use, either due to abuse or medical usage, can contribute to a heart infection.
3. Viral Infection
A viral infection, like a cough, can cause a heart infection, often in the form of an inflammation known as myocarditis. A virus causes this inflammation. The Coxsackievirus, the Adenovirus, the Herpes virus, or the Influenza virus most often cause it.
Symptoms of myocarditis can range from fever, chest pains, fatigue, irregular heartbeat, and shortness of breath. Although myocarditis is usually mild, some cases can become severe and life-threatening. Some can even cause congestive heart failure coughing mucus.
Most heart infections caused by viruses are very treatable through antiviral medications. But, like any viral infection, it can become hazardous when a person’s immune system is weakened. That is why it is crucial for people who have an impaired immune system to take extra precautions and pay close attention to any signs of a viral infection.
4. Parasite Infection
Certain parasites, such as Entamoeba, Naegleria, and Trichomonas, can infect the heart muscle and valves, leading to infection. These types of infections can be caused by contact with contaminated water and soil, eating undercooked or raw meats, or coming into contact with feces.
Once inside the body, these parasites can cause inflammation and damage to the heart. Symptoms include fever, chest pain, irregular heartbeat, shortness of breath, coughing, and fatigue. Treatment includes antibiotics and antifungal drugs to kill the parasites and control the symptoms.
5. Bacterial Infection
Bacterial infection is one of the leading causes of heart infection, also known as endocarditis. Bacteria enter the body through an open skin or bloodstream wound. It is where they can attach to the inner walls of the heart’s chambers and valves.
Bacteria can thrive in the heart when too much cholesterol accumulates — disrupting the normal flow of blood and causing inflammation. Bacteria can also enter the bloodstream through infected dental work, IV drug use, surgical procedures, or certain illnesses that weaken the immune system. Once bacteria enter the bloodstream, they can lodge inside the heart and form a pocket of infection.
Symptoms of cardiovascular problems vary, depending on the type of bacteria. But it can include a fever, chills, chest pain, fatigue, shortness of breath, night sweats, and joint pain.
Treatment often includes antibiotics given intravenously. If not treated promptly, the infection can become severe and cause damage to the heart valves.
6. Fungal Infection
These types of infections favor warm, moist environments and can travel from distant sites in the body to the heart. One of the most common fungi linked to heart infection is Aspergillus. It is usually found in soil, bird droppings, and decaying vegetation.
Candida, Cryptococcus, and Histoplasma are other fungal heart infections. Risk factors for fungal heart infections include a weakened immune system, diabetes, cancer, and high steroid use. People with surgery to place a central venous catheter, often used to treat cancer, are also at risk.
Symptoms include fever, chest pain, difficulty breathing, and a rapid heart rate. Diagnosis is typically done through a blood test, PCR, or lumbar puncture. Treatment of fungal heart infections is often done with antifungal medications.
7. Poor Dental Hygiene and Dental Procedure
Poor dental hygiene and inadequate dental procedures are the leading causes of infections in the heart. Poor dental hygiene, such as infrequent brushing and flossing of the teeth, can allow large numbers of harmful bacteria to exist on the teeth, gums, and tongue. These bacteria enter the bloodstream when the person eats, brushes, or flosses.
The bacteria can then enter the heart and attach to the valves. It can lead to a heart infection.
Dental procedures with inadequate disinfection protocols can also cause the spread of bacteria into the bloodstream. So, having a good dental hygiene regimen and visiting a dentist for regular checkups and procedures is essential to reduce the risk.
Avoid the Causes of Heart Infection
Heart infections can cause devastating health issues. To prevent a heart infection, it is vital to maintain good hygiene, eat a healthy diet, and exercise regularly. Regular checkups and following your doctor’s advice can quickly help catch and address potential risks.
Take proactive steps now. It can help ensure a healthy heart in the long run.
Did you find this information helpful? If you did, check out the rest of our site for more informative articles.
