4. Heart Defects or Disorders
While the heart valves are the most common point of endocarditis infection, inflammation of the endocardial lining can occur due to other heart defects and problems as well. If the patient has a valve replacement, or chronic atherosclerosis – a blockage of the arteries due to a buildup of cholesterol plaque on the inner linings, they also have a high risk of developing endocarditis.
Endocarditis is also an issue for those patients with congenital heart disease. These individuals are born with heart malfunctions and prone to developing conditions like atherosclerosis. As a result, they may also develop bacterial infections of the heart valves that lead to endocarditis.
Should the patient fall into this risk group, the chances are that they are already receiving treatment for their cardiovascular complications. Therefore, the patient’s doctor will most likely pick up signs of endocarditis before they reach a critical stage in the development of the condition.