Endocarditis

[jeffsimon]

I'm a 77 year old male. One year after a successful replacement organic heart valve replacement I suddenly succumbed to Endocarditis earlier this year. The symptoms were similar to a cold i.e. raised temperature, feeling out-of-sorts, etc. Luckily I saw a doctor who detected a heart murmur and referred me to A&E . After the result of a blood test I was immediately admitted into hospital and placed on an antibiotic intravenous drip. I was in hospital for some 7 days and then had further antibiotic intravenous treatment a home for a further two weeks. Luckily I had caught the infection very early and made a good recovery. Obviously anybody who has had a replacement heart valve is more likely to pick up such an infection than the average person. Does this mean that from now on I have to have an immediate check-up at the doctor every time I have what appears to be a slight cold or chill which would normally be shaken-off within a week?

[CDreamer]

Hi Jeff - I am not sure this is something we can comment on and maybe best directed to the BHF forum as there maybe be people on that forum with experience.

Best wishes CD

[Barb1]

I developed sepsis, 6 weeks after an op, not heart related. If I have a cold now, I am just more aware of flu type symptoms that come on very suddenly. My GP knows I have had sepsis and would understand my concerns and react accordingly.

[ILowe]

I hope no one here develops undetected endocarditis, because I am told that left untreated it always kills. I had it, once. It was confirmed after they had replaced my mitral valve, and I was given six weeks intravenous in hospital. Since then I have always warned doctors that I am at risk of endocarditis. When AF developed, the first question I had when I saw a specialist was "is this endocarditis". Asking the question prompts them to check. While there are some classical signs, it is often hard to spot.

I am not a doctor but this is how I treat myself. Should I go running at the slightest cold? Probably not. Should I ask if it drags on, whereas previously I would have just endured, then probably yes.

The other tip is to take great care with you teeth, but the modern trend is to avoid antibiotics, so make sure you use up to date advice. Ask the doctor to check recent advice for instance in the book they all use, the British National Formulary.

[jeffsimon in reply to ILowe]

Many thanks for the sensible advice ILowe

[Suzy1954 in reply to jeffsimon]

Hi. I’ve also had endocarditis. When they stopped giving antibiotics if you had treatment at the dentist I asked my cardiologist if I could still have them as I was worried about contracting it again. He agreed thankfully 👍