Get to know Endocarditis, a Rare Disease That Is Vulnerable to Certain Conditions

DEPOK – Endocarditis disease occurs due to infection of the endocardium, which is the inner lining of the heart heart This is due to the entry of bacteria into the bloodstream, thereby infecting the damaged part of the heart. This disease is classified as rare, but the disease is prone to occur in individuals with certain conditions.

“For example, in certain types of heart disease, people with congenital heart disease, people with cardiomyopathy, and people with prosthetic heart valves,” said Resident Medical Officer of the Siloam Cinere Heart Hospital, Dr. Frendy in a virtual health education, Tuesday (19/10/2021). ). dr. Freddy. Also read: Get to know 6 types of heart disease that often occur, from coronary to pulmonary embolism

According to Dr. Frendy, it would be better if known to have endocarditis, must be treated immediately because it can damage the heart valves and trigger dangerous complications. Therefore, he continued, it is also necessary to know the symptoms.

Endocarditis has the following symptoms: chest pain that occurs when breathing in, muscle joint pain, weakness due to fatigue, cold sweat, shortness of breath, swelling of the legs or abdomen. “These symptoms can be felt. The best treatment early on is to hold a consultation, especially through consultation with a specialist,” said Frendy.

Frendy explained, complications that are very likely to arise in patients with endokaritis include valve damage and heart failure. If there is damage to the valve, according to him, it can be replaced with a biological heart valve. This type is made of bovine, pig, or human heart valves. In addition there are artificial heart valves or also called mechanical heart valves which are made of carbon and titanium.

Both biological heart valves and mechanical valves, continued Fredny, have advantages and disadvantages. The advantage of biologic valves is that the patient does not need to take long-term blood-thinning medications because of the low risk of blood clots. Also read: High Cholesterol, Backache and Pain on the Left Side of the Chest Can’t Be Ignored

“However, (biological valves) have weaknesses, including having a weaker durability of 10-20 years, which means that it requires reoperation if the biological valve starts to fail,” he said.

While the advantages of mechanical valves are durability which is certainly stronger and longer even for a lifetime. “But there is a risk of blood clots forming and will continue to take blood thinning drugs even for life,” concluded Dr. Frendy.

(don)

– .