Causes
The main cause of endocarditis is an overgrowth of bacteria.
Although these bacteria normally live on the inside or outside
surfaces of your body, you might bring them inside to your
bloodstream by eating or drinking. Bacteria could also enter
through cuts in your skin or oral cavity. Your immune system
normally fights off germs before they cause a problem, but this
.process fails in some people
In the case of infective endocarditis, the germs travel through
your bloodstream and into your heart, where they multiply and
cause inflammation. Endocarditis can also be caused by fungi or
.other germs
Eating and drinking aren’t the only ways that germs can enter
:your body. They can also get into your bloodstream through
• brushing your teeth
• having poor oral hygiene or gum disease
• having a dental procedure that cuts your gums
• contracting a sexually transmitted disease
• using a contaminated needle
• through an indwelling urinary catheter or intravenous
catheter
Risk factors
• injecting illicit intravenous drugs with a needle
contaminated with bacteria or fungi
• scarring caused by heart valve damage, which
allows bacteria or germs to grow
• tissue damage from having endocarditis in the
past
• having a heart defect
• having an artificial heart valve replacement
