A friend of mine is in the hospital with bacteria in or around his heart. They said he has a clump of bacteria in his heart murmer. They are putting a stint in his arm and he has to inject antibiotics for 6 weeks. Anybody know anything about this and if he will live?? Anybody know what causes the bacteria?
2007-08-11 08:29:44 · 7 answers · asked by Mary Posa 5 in Health ➔ Diseases & Conditions ➔ Heart Diseases
No. But you got some good answers.
2007-08-11 10:54:23 · answer #1 · answered by timzapasn 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Probably it's an endocarditis, that is an infection of the valvular endocardium (the inner layer of the heart chambers). Bacteria, mainly Streptococci, coming from an infection focus generally located in the teeth, spread in the blood and infect the heart's valves (mitralic and aortic ones mainly) forming amorphous vegetations which can cause disturb to che opening or closure mechanism of the valve and murmurs during the auscultation of the heart. The high-dose intravenous antibiotic therapy is needed to kill the bacteria preventing their diffusion or the detaching of vegetations that can form a bacterial embolus which could block the brain bloodstream. Therapy is very useful, if well and soon treated, endocarditis is not dangerous.
2007-08-11 18:16:43 · answer #2 · answered by dottorinoUCSC82 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Endo-carditis, a bacterial infection of the heart, is very serious indeed. The bacteria could have come from anywhere, but it is often from gum disease. If he has a faulty valve (heart murmur) he was more susceptible to this anyway. Many people with heart murmurs are advised to take antibiotics before any dental procedure or cleaning.
He can recover from this, but it is possible that he will have a permanently damaged or weakened heart as a result of the infection.
2007-08-11 15:36:48 · answer #3 · answered by Army mom 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
From what you describe I would guess he has endocarditis. I would assume since they are sending him home his physician(s) suspect that he sill be fine after the bacteria go away.
People can get endocarditis from anything. A lot of the precipitating factors could be diabetes, MVP (mitral valve prolapse), other heart abnormalities, or systemic infection. Many people with heart abnormalities can get endocarditis when their gums are cut during dental procedures.
http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=4436
2007-08-11 16:30:22 · answer #4 · answered by Mary Beth G 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Infection of the heart is a big danger with heart patients.
One way bacteria can get to the heart is poor dental care.
Should you get any type of gum infection it can run your arteries to your heart. Excellent oral hygiene is urgent in a heart patient.
Using Hydrogen Peroxide for fighting any oral infections is extremely useful. Just swish with it every day.
2007-08-11 20:19:12 · answer #5 · answered by ? 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
garlic is good for infection and the heart. but, he should follow his doctors plan
2007-08-11 15:33:35 · answer #6 · answered by Lost_chic 2 · 0⤊ 4⤋
no
2007-08-11 15:34:23 · answer #7 · answered by sistahgirl1230 2 · 0⤊ 4⤋