Can your heart get an infection? (Heart Infection) Let's talk about this!

When we get a cold or flu, we say "a throat infection." Sometimes a wound can fester and become infected. But have you ever thought that one of the most important organs in our body, the heart, can also get infected like this? Yes, it can. Although this is a bit scary, being aware of this is very important to protect your life and the lives of your loved ones. So let's talk about this simply and clearly today.

What exactly is a heart infection?

Simply put, a heart infection is when germs (microbes) like bacteria, viruses, or fungi enter your heart and damage its parts. When these germs enter the heart, those parts of the heart begin to swell, become red, or become damaged. Just like a wound on our skin festering, something similar happens inside the heart.

The main parts of the heart that can be damaged by these infections are:

• Myocardium: This is the main muscle in the heart. This part helps the heart beat.
• Heart valves: Door-like parts inside the heart that help blood flow in only one direction.
• Endocardium: The thin membrane that lines the inside of the heart chambers.
• Pericardium: The sac-like part that surrounds the heart from the outside and protects it.

What are the types of heart infections?

There are three main types of heart infections. Each affects a different part of the heart. To understand these clearly, see the table below.

Who is more at risk?

The average healthy person is very unlikely to develop a serious heart infection. However, some people are at higher risk than others. These include:

• People over 65 years of age.
• People who have had previous heart surgery.
• People who inject drugs intravenously (into veins).

What causes heart infections?

The three types of infections we discussed earlier are caused by different things. Let's look at each one in turn.

Causes of Endocarditis

The main cause of this condition is when bacteria from elsewhere in the body enter the bloodstream and travel to the heart. Imagine, the bacteria in our mouth get into the bloodstream and travel to the heart. Here are some possible scenarios:

• Poor oral hygiene: If you don't brush your teeth properly, bacteria can enter the bloodstream through gum disease and bleeding.
• Dental treatments: When a tooth is extracted or teeth are cleaned, the gums are cut, allowing bacteria to enter the bloodstream.
• Use of catheters: Bacteria can enter the body through tubes (catheters) that are used to remove fluids from the body or to introduce fluids into it.
• Intravenous drug use: Bacteria can enter the bloodstream directly, especially when sharing needles and syringes that are not clean.

Causes of Pericarditis

There can be many reasons for this situation. The main ones are:

• Viral infections: Can be caused by respiratory viruses like colds and flu, or gastrointestinal viruses.
• Bacterial infections: This can also be caused by bacterial infections such as tuberculosis.
• Fungal and parasitic infections: These are somewhat rare.
• Autoimmune diseases: Conditions in which the body's own immune system attacks its own cells. Examples include lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, and scleroderma.
• Other causes: Trauma to the chest (e.g., a car accident), kidney failure (uremic pericarditis), tumors, and some genetic diseases.

Causes of Myocarditis

Various causes can also cause swelling of the heart muscle.

• Viral infections: The main ones are the virus that causes COVID-19, the virus that causes coxsackievirus, parvovirus, adenovirus, and hepatitis C.
• Bacterial infections: Bacteria such as Streptococcus, which causes throat infections, Staphylococcus, which causes skin infections, and bacteria transmitted by ticks.
• Fungal infections: from yeast, mold, and fungi found in bird droppings.
• Allergic reactions to medications: An allergic reaction to some antibiotics, seizure medications, and anti-cancer drugs.
• Radiation: As a side effect of radiation therapy for cancer.

What are the symptoms of these infections?

The symptoms of a heart infection can vary depending on the type of infection and from person to person. However, many of these infections have several common features.

How does a doctor find this?

When you go to see a doctor with these symptoms, he will first ask you about your symptoms and whether anyone in your family has heart disease. Then he will listen to your heart with a stethoscope to check for any abnormal sounds (heart murmurs).

Some of those tests are:

• Blood tests: These can check your blood for signs of infection (e.g., increased white blood cell count) and elevated levels of inflammatory proteins that indicate inflammation in the heart.
• Chest X-ray: This can be used to check for changes in the size or shape of the heart, or for fluid accumulation around the heart.
• CT scan or MRI scan: These can take detailed 3D images of the heart and clearly show any swelling, thickening, or other changes.
• Cardiac catheterization/heart biopsy: In some severe cases, a doctor may insert a very small tube (catheter) through a vein into the heart and take a very small piece of tissue (biopsy) from the heart muscle to examine under a microscope. This can help determine the exact cause of the infection.

How is it treated?

The treatment for a heart infection depends on the cause of the infection and the severity of the symptoms. In most cases, these conditions can be controlled with medication.

Types of drugs used for treatment:

• Antibiotics for bacterial infections.
• Antifungal medications for fungal infections.
• Colchicine or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) to reduce swelling.
• Corticosteroids if there is severe swelling.
• Heart disease medications and high blood pressure medications that help the heart function.

In some severe cases, if medication alone does not provide relief, surgery may be necessary. If the infection has severely damaged the heart valves, heart valve surgery may be required, or if the heart itself is severely damaged , a heart transplant may be required.

What serious conditions can occur if left untreated?

A heart infection is no joke. If not treated properly, it can lead to serious, life-threatening complications.

• Pulmonary embolism is a blood clot in an artery in the lungs.
• A heart attack or stroke.
• Heart failure.
• Kidney failure.
• Irregular heart rate (arrhythmias).
• Sudden cardiac death.

Therefore, it is very important to seek medical advice without delay if you have symptoms.

How can you protect yourself from such infections?

Although we cannot prevent some infections, there are many things we can do to reduce the risk.

• Wash your hands regularly with soap: This is the best and simplest way to protect yourself from germs.
• Take care of your oral and dental hygiene: Brush your teeth properly every day. See a dentist regularly for a dental check-up.
• Get recommended vaccinations: Getting recommended vaccinations for diseases like flu and COVID-19 can protect you from viral infections.
• Avoid drug use: Completely stop using drugs, especially intravenous drugs.
• Stay away from people with viral infections: Be a little careful if there is someone with an illness like a fever or cold.

When should you definitely see a doctor?

If you develop new symptoms or if your symptoms get worse, see your doctor immediately. Especially if you have any of the following, don't delay and seek medical attention as soon as possible. If necessary, go to the Emergency Department (ETU) of the nearest hospital.

• If you feel difficulty breathing or shortness of breath.
• If you feel unbearably tired .
• If you lose consciousness or faint.
• If a cut or wound on the skin does not heal .

Whenever you see a new doctor or dentist, don't forget to tell them if you've had a heart infection. It will help them better manage your health.

Heart Infection, Endocarditis, Myocarditis, Pericarditis, Chest Pain, Heart Disease