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True or False: Heart Valve Infections are Rising in the United States

By Adam Pick on April 19, 2013

Earlier today, I was reading the latest online edition of US News and World Report when I came across an interesting fact about infections that can lead to valvular disorders. That said, I thought you might like a daily dose of heart valve trivia.

True or False: There is a steady rise of heart valve infections, also known as bacterial endocarditis, in the United States? (Scroll below for the answer.)

According to researchers, life-threatening infections of the heart valve are twice as common in the United States as previously thought and have increased steadily during the past 15 years. If you were unaware, endocarditis can be fatal, result in stroke or heart attack if not treated.

Surprised? So, was I...

Interestingly, the report went on to note that many of the infections were acquired in health care facilities and may have been preventable. I guess this is another good reason to ask your surgeon or clinic coordinator about infection rates before you schedule surgery, right?

In discussing endocarditis, Dr. John Brusch, the co-author of the study, noted that while infections are still relatively uncommon, the current incidence is 2 to 3 times that of tuberculosis or syphilis.

Keep on tickin!
Adam

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Written by Adam Pick - Patient & Website Founder

Adam Pick is a heart valve patient and author of The Patient's Guide To Heart Valve Surgery. In 2006, Adam founded HeartValveSurgery.com to educate and empower patients. This award-winning website has helped over 10 million people fight heart valve disease. Adam has been featured by the American Heart Association and Medical News Today.

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5 Comments

Jim Marcum
April 27, 2013 at 4:18 AM

I'm having trouble deciding about continuing to work. I have two mechanical valves my Aorta in 2005 and my Mitral in 2013 along with a Maze procedure to help alleviate A Fib. I just completed a 24 hour heart monitor test which hasn't went to the Cardiologist yet. The Surgeon... Read more.

Jim Marcum
April 26, 2013 at 12:24 AM

Yes dental work can cause endocarditis. Endocarditis is infection in a heart valve that contaminates the blood stream over and over again and is treated generally with I.V.'s in the hospital and blood tests are taken until the blood is free from bacteria. Worst case scenario heart surgery is required... Read more.

Ellen Ridsdale
April 25, 2013 at 5:40 AM

I have been wondering at what stage of valve leakage, and which valves, should we be taking antibiotics before having dental work done? Is dental work a cause of this infection? Thanks Ellen

Andrew
April 21, 2013 at 4:52 PM

Am I surprised? No. I'm not. I had endocarditis. My GP had had a heart attack, so it took me two weeks to convince the locum that I had endocarditis (it came down to: "If you insist, I will refer you" to which I said "I insist"), on my then... Read more.

Jim Marcum
April 19, 2013 at 11:24 PM

Asking a hospital about its infection rates is useless. The past three hospitals I've been in all give you a quick evasive answer as far as their hospitals control of staph germs and infection rates. I try to watch the care providers myself and have my family do it. Believe... Read more.