Endocarditis
Overview
Endocarditis is a rare and potentially fatal infection of the inner lining of the heart (the endocardium). It's most commonly caused by bacteria entering the blood and travelling to the heart.
Symptoms
The initial symptoms of endocarditis are similar to flu and include: a high temperaturechillsheadachejoint and muscle pain Without treatment, the infection damages the heart valves and disrupts the normal flow of blood through the heart. This could trigger a range of life-threatening complications, such as: heart failure– where the heart is unable to pump enough blood around the body to properly meet the body's demandsstroke– where the supply of blood to the brain becomes disrupted Find out more about the symptoms of endocarditis