Tampa General Hospital’s Heart & Vascular Institute skillfully diagnoses and treats endocarditis, a potentially life-threatening condition that occurs when the inner lining of the heart’s valves and chambers (the endocardium) becomes inflamed. It’s important to promptly seek treatment for a suspected case of endocarditis, since failing to properly treat this condition can lead to serious complications including heart failure and stroke.

What Are the Types of Endocarditis?

Endocarditis (sometimes referred to as infective endocarditis) is commonly categorized into one of the following three types:

• Acute infective endocarditis – This form of endocarditis develops quickly and may become life-threatening within just a few days.
• Subacute or chronic infective endocarditis – When endocarditis develops more slowly (over the course of weeks or even months), it’s known as subacute or chronic endocarditis.
• Prosthetic valve endocarditis – This type of endocarditis can develop within a year after someone undergoes a heart valve replacement.

What Are the Causes & Risk Factors of Endocarditis?

Endocarditis is typically caused by an infection in another area of the body. Once bacteria, fungi or other germs from that infection enter the bloodstream, they can travel to the heart and produce inflammation within the endocardium. Although endocarditis can sometimes result from fungal infections, it’s most commonly caused by bacterial infections.

While anyone can develop endocarditis—including those with no known heart problems—individuals with a damaged or diseased heart valve have a higher risk of experiencing the condition. This is because when a valve becomes damaged, it’s easier for germs to attach to that tissue, which in turn makes it more likely that the endocardium will become inflamed. You may be at risk if you were born with certain congenital heart defects or if you previously experienced endocarditis or another acquired heart condition (e.g., rheumatic fever, which commonly scars the heart’s valves).

You may also have a higher-than-normal risk of developing endocarditis if:

• You’re over the age of 60.
• You have an artificial (prosthetic) heart valve.
• You have an implanted heart device (e.g., a pacemaker).
• You’ve undergone a heart transplant.
• You’ve had a catheter in place for a prolonged period.
• Your immune system is suppressed.
• You have poor dental health or untreated dental infection.
• You have a history of illicit intravenous (IV) drug use.

What Are the Symptoms & Warning Signs of Endocarditis?

Endocarditis symptoms can vary from one person to another depending on factors such as the type of underlying infection and the heart’s overall condition. With that said, some of the most common symptoms of endocarditis include:

• Chest pain when breathing
• Shortness of breath
• A new or different whooshing sound in the heart (heart murmur)
• Muscle and joint aches
• Headache
• Nasal congestion
• Sinus tenderness or drainage
• A sore or scratchy throat (especially when swallowing)
• Tiny dark streaks under fingernails
• Clubbed fingers
• Persistent coughing
• Swelling in the abdomen, legs or feet
• Skin rash
• A cut or wound that won’t heal
• A sore that’s red, warm or draining fluids
• Nausea, vomiting or diarrhea
• Reduced appetite
• Unexplained weight loss
• Fatigue
• Fever
• Chills
• Night sweats

In some cases, endocarditis symptoms develop gradually over time, while in others they appear more suddenly.

It’s important to promptly consult with a physician if you begin experiencing symptoms like these, especially if you have a history of endocarditis or any other heart problems. You should also reach out to a medical provider if you’ve previously been diagnosed with endocarditis and you begin experiencing symptoms such as shortness of breath, a headache, joint pain, a fever or chills, since this may be an indication that your condition is worsening.

Rare Endocarditis Symptoms

The symptoms listed above are the ones that appear most commonly with endocarditis. However, in rare cases, endocarditis can also cause:

• Tenderness under the left side of the rib cage
• Painless, flat red, purple or brown spots on the palms or soles of the feet (Janeway lesions)
• Painful red or purple bumps or hyperpigmentation on the fingertips or toes (Osler nodes)
• Round red, purple or brown spots in the whites of the eyes, in the mouth or on the skin (petechiae)
• Red, flame-shaped spots with a pale white or yellowish center, on the retina (Roth spots)
• Bloody urine

Diagnosis & Tests for Endocarditis 

If your doctor suspects that you have endocarditis, they’ll likely begin by performing a physical examination and asking a series of questions about your medical history and any symptoms you’ve recently been experiencing. They may also order one or more of the following tests to confirm or rule out an endocarditis diagnosis:

• Blood testing
• Chest X-ray
• Computed tomography (CT) scan
• Echocardiogram
• Electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG)
• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan
• Positron emission tomography (PET) scan

How Do You Treat Endocarditis?

The proper course of treatment for endocarditis can vary from one patient to another based on factors such as the type or severity of the underlying infection or the extent of any resulting heart valve damage. If your physician diagnoses you with endocarditis, they’ll recommend the approach that’s best suited to your specific needs.

Treating Endocarditis With Medication

In many cases, endocarditis can be successfully treated with medication. The type of medication prescribed will depend on the type of infection present—for example, antibiotic medication may be prescribed for a bacterial infection, while antifungal medication may be prescribed for a fungal infection. It’s important that you carefully follow your doctor’s instructions and take any prescribed medications as directed.

Because endocarditis is a potentially life-threatening condition, your physician may recommend that you remain in the hospital for at least a week after beginning your medication regimen so that they can monitor the treatment’s efficacy and make any necessary adjustments. You may be able to return home once your symptoms have subsided, but you’ll likely have to continue taking medication for several weeks, during which time you may need to periodically visit your medical provider’s office or receive home care. In rare cases, long-term or lifelong antibiotic therapy may be required if surgery is not possible or infection is persistent.

Treating Endocarditis With Surgery

While endocarditis can often be treated with medication, in some instances surgery may be necessary. For example, your doctor may recommend that you undergo surgery for endocarditis if:

• Your condition resulted from a fungal infection.
• You’re experiencing persistent endocarditis infections.
• You have a severely damaged heart valve.

Surgery for endocarditis typically focuses on either repairing or replacing any damaged heart valves. If your physician determines that you’re a candidate for endocarditis surgery, they’ll walk you through exactly what to expect before, during and after the procedure.

What Are the Complications & Long-Term Effects of Endocarditis?

If endocarditis isn’t promptly treated, the resulting inflammation can damage or entirely destroy the affected areas of the heart. Irregular growths composed of germs and other cells can also form a mass within the heart (a vegetation), which can then break loose and travel to other areas of the body, including the brain, lungs, kidneys and limbs. All of this can lead to complications such as:

• Strokes
• Abnormal heart rhythms (arrhythmias)
• Abscesses
• Blood clots in the pulmonary arteries (pulmonary embolisms)
• Heart blocks
• Heart failure
• Heart valve damage
• Kidney damage
• Sepsis
• Spleen enlargement

How Do You Prevent & Reduce Your Risk of Endocarditis?

While certain endocarditis risk factors are unavoidable (e.g., being over the age of 60 or being born with a congenital heart defect), others can be prevented. To reduce your risk of developing endocarditis, you should:

• Keep up with brushing and flossing your teeth and attend regular dental appointments. Be sure to let your dentist know if you’re at an especially high risk for endocarditis, since they may prescribe antibiotics for you to take prior to having dental work completed.
• Avoid illicit IV drug use.
• Carefully monitor for signs of an infection and promptly seek treatment if needed, especially if you have another heart condition, an artificial heart valve or an implanted heart device.

Living With Endocarditis

Because experiencing endocarditis can increase your risk of developing the condition again in the future, it’s important to watch for the warning signs of infection and promptly seek treatment. You should also follow your physician’s treatment instructions, including taking medications as prescribed, attending all follow-up appointments and undergoing additional blood testing or scans when required.

After being diagnosed with and treated for endocarditis, you may also want to consider carrying one of the American Heart Association’s infective endocarditis wallet cards, which contain antibiotic dosage guidelines. You can show this card to your doctor or dentist before undergoing any future treatments to help ensure that they’re aware of your condition and that they take any necessary precautions.

Endocarditis Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Below are answers to some of the questions we most commonly receive about endocarditis.

How Can Poor Dental Health Lead to Endocarditis?

Dental professionals generally recommend that patients brush their teeth twice each day, floss once each day and regularly attend professional cleanings. Failing to do so allows a sticky film (plaque) to accumulate on the teeth, eroding tooth enamel, producing bad breath and eventually hardening into tartar. In many cases, plaque buildup can also lead to gum disease (also referred to as periodontal disease), an infection that can cause gum pain, redness and bleeding. When the gums bleed, they can allow bacteria from the mouth to enter the bloodstream and travel to the heart, possibly resulting in endocarditis.

How Long Can You Have Endocarditis Without Knowing?

In some cases, endocarditis symptoms develop suddenly. However, in many instances, symptoms appear more gradually, possibly over the course of weeks or even months. When this happens, it can make it difficult to achieve a prompt diagnosis, especially since many endocarditis symptoms can also be attributed to other, less-serious conditions. For this reason, it’s important to carefully monitor yourself for any signs of infection, especially if you have a history of heart problems or any other endocarditis risk factors.

Can Endocarditis Heal Itself?

If you’re experiencing the symptoms of endocarditis, you may be tempted to wait and see if the condition resolves on its own. However, it’s important that you promptly consult with an experienced medical professional. Endocarditis almost always requires professional treatment—often involving medication, surgery or both—and failing to quickly treat the condition can potentially be fatal.

Can You Live a Normal Life After Endocarditis?

Many people live completely normal lives after experiencing endocarditis. That said, it’s important to follow your doctor’s instructions to keep yourself healthy and maintain your best possible quality of life. Depending on the extent of damage that endocarditis causes to your heart, you may need to make certain lifestyle modifications—your health care provider can explain exactly what you can expect following treatment.

The TGH Difference for Endocarditis

Don’t delay seeking treatment for endocarditis symptoms. Failing to promptly treat this condition can lead to potentially life-threatening complications such as abscesses, arrhythmias, heart blocks, heart failure, heart valve damage, kidney damage, pulmonary embolisms, sepsis and spleen enlargement.

Fortunately, Tampa General Hospital’s esteemed Heart & Vascular Institute offers world-class care for endocarditis and a wide array of other cardiac and vascular conditions in Tampa, FL. Our commitment to providing accurate diagnoses and delivering skilled, compassionate care has helped us earn designation as:

• One of the Nation's Best Hospitals for Heart & Vascular Care and a High Performing Hospital for Heart Attack, Heart Arrhythmia and Heart Failure Treatment for 2025-26 by U.S. News & World Report
• One of 100 Hospitals and Health Systems with Great Heart Programs by Becker’s Hospital Review
• One of America’s Best Specialized Hospitals for Cardiac Care in 2025 by Newsweek

When you turn to Tampa General Hospital for endocarditis treatment, you can trust that our multidisciplinary team will provide the highly individualized care you deserve. You’ll also benefit from our partnership with the University of South Florida, which positions us to be at the forefront of academic health, advanced research and clinical trials.

Contact Tampa General Hospital’s Heart & Vascular Institute today to learn more or request an appointment. You can call us at (813) 844-3900 or email us at heart-vascular@tgh.org.