heart with fever
Informed by recognized medical guidance
Overview
A heart with fever usually means there is an infection or inflammation affecting the heart or its lining. This can be a condition such as endocarditis (infection of the heart's inner lining), myocarditis (inflammation of the heart muscle), or pericarditis (inflammation of the sac around the heart). The fever is the body's way of fighting the infection or inflammation.
Key facts
- Fever combined with heart symptoms like chest pain or shortness of breath needs urgent medical attention.
- Heart infections are rare but serious and require prompt treatment with antibiotics or anti-inflammatory medicines.
- Many heart inflammation conditions can be treated successfully without lasting damage if caught early.
Heart infections are not common. They occur in a small number of people, especially those with pre-existing heart conditions or weakened immune systems.
It can affect anyone, but people with artificial heart valves, congenital heart defects, a history of IV drug use, or a recent dental or surgical procedure that introduced bacteria into the bloodstream are at higher risk.