1. Maintain Regular Appointments With Your Physician
Culture-negative endocarditis, which is an inflammation or infection of the lining of the heart, can cause a number of cardiopulmonary conditions that can cause congestive heart failure if not properly monitored by a physician. Common complications include perivalval abscesses (infections around the valves of the heart), infected emboli (blood clots that can travel through the heart and cause cardiac arrest or strokes) and intracardiac fistulae (abnormal heart connections). The symptoms of these conditions may not be readily apparent to the patient, so frequent cardiac testing must be conducted to properly manage endocarditis.
2. Treat All Infections Quickly
Culture-negative endocarditis can be caused or worsened by abscesses throughout the body. While perivalvular abscesses, which are infections of the heart valves, can cause endocarditis to progress rapidly, other infections can contribute as well. Dental abscesses and tooth decay have recently been linked to heart disease, since the bacteria caused by these infections tend to travel downward into the chest cavity.
For a patient who has suffered from rheumatic fever, or has had any type of congenital heart condition, even a minor infection from a cut or scrape could ultimately cause culture-negative endocarditis. If you are at risk for developing this heart condition, see your doctor immediately to treat any infections, no matter how minor.
3. Check With Your Doctor Before Undergoing Dental Treatment or Surgery
If you are suffering from culture-negative endocarditis, you should consult with your doctor on proper use of antibiotics before undergoing any type of oral surgery or extensive dental work (such as a root canal). This also goes for any type of genitourinary procedure, such as a vasectomy or hysterectomy. The best way to manage your heart condition, and to lower the risk of infection or inflammation of the heart lining, is to prevent the buildup of bacteria in the body.
