Are You at Risk for Infective Endocarditis?
Published: Aug 06, 2024
Understanding the risk factors for infective endocarditis can help prevent this serious heart condition.
Contents
Age and Gender
Age plays a significant role, with more than half of infective endocarditis cases occurring in individuals over 60. Men are also more likely to develop this condition than women, with male-to-female ratios ranging from 3:2 to 9:1.
Lifestyle Choices
Injection drug use significantly increases the risk of infective endocarditis. The use of contaminated needles can introduce bacteria into the bloodstream, leading to heart valve infections. Poor dental hygiene is another risk factor, as it can allow harmful bacteria to enter the bloodstream during dental procedures.
Health Conditions
Individuals with structural heart disease or those with prosthetic valves are at a higher risk of developing infective endocarditis. Chronic conditions like diabetes or HIV may also contribute to the risk.
Frequently Asked Questions
Older adults and men have higher chances of developing this condition.
Yes, drug use and poor dental hygiene can increase the risk.
Yes, structural heart disease and prosthetic valves are significant risk factors.
Yes, past infective endocarditis increases the risk of recurrence.
Key Takeaways
Knowing your risk factors is the first step in prevention.
Talk to Doctronic today to assess your risk for infective endocarditis.Related Articles
References
Ambrosioni J, Hernandez-Meneses M, Téllez A, et al. The Changing Epidemiology of Infective Endocarditis in the Twenty-First Century. Curr Infect Dis Rep 2017; 19:21.
Østergaard L, Valeur N, Wang A, et al. Incidence of infective endocarditis in patients considered at moderate risk. Eur Heart J 2019; 40:1355.
Always discuss health information with your healthcare provider.