The cardiovascular system is composed of the heart and blood vessels. The heart is a crucial muscle in the body that supplies the organs with the blood necessary to survive. Sometimes, certain bacteria can infiltrate the different heart muscle layers and valves. Chest pain, trouble breathing, swelling of the legs are just some symptoms that occur when bacteria infiltrates the heart and spreads into the circulatory system. There are certain bacterial diseases of the cardiovascular system that cause these symptoms.
Endocarditis
Endocarditis is an infection that specifically affects the heart's inner lining. According to the Mayo Clinic, symptoms of endocarditis include chills, a fever, night sweats, joint or muscle pain and chronic coughing. Endocarditis can also cause unintentional weight loss, paleness, fatigue, an abnormal heart sound (murmur) or swelling of the feet, stomach and legs. Purple or red spots on the skin, mouth or eyes (petechiae), red painful spots below the fingers (Osler's nodes) and shortness of breath are other additional endocarditis symptoms, says the Mayo Clinic.
Bacteria can enter the bloodstream via brushing the teeth, medical conditions and via needles or catheters (thin tubes that allow for medication). The Mayo Clinic says that endocarditis treatment involves high dose intravenous (through the vein) antibiotics to destroy the bacteria. Surgery is another treatment option when the bacteria damages any of the heart valves.
Pericarditis
Pericarditis refers to an infection of the heart's outer layer called the pericardium. According to MedlinePlus, symptoms of pericarditis include a stabbing chest pain that can move to the shoulder, back, stomach or neck. A dry cough, fatigue, leg or ankle swelling and anxiety are other pericarditis symptoms.
MedlinePlus says that certain viruses such as the echovirus or coxsackie virus typically cause pericarditis. However, the flu, HIV, kidney failure, cancer, tuberculosis and certain autoimmune disorders can lead to pericarditis. Sometimes medications that weaken the immune system and radiation therapy can result in pericarditis.
Treatment for pericarditis includes taking pain medications, prednisone, colchicine, antibiotics for bacterial pericarditis and antifungal medications for fungal pericarditis. Aspirin, nonsteroidal medications such as ibuprofen and colchicine can be used to treat pericarditis.
Fluid can accumulate around the heart and prevent the heart from beating. This is medically called cardiac tamponade. A needle may be inserted into the outer layer of the heart to drain the fluid. This procedure is called a pericardiocentesis.
Rheumatic Heart Disease
Rheumatic heart disease is an infection of the heart's valves. Valves act to direct the blood flow in and out of the heart. It is much like a gate that allows only certain cars to enter. Sometimes, a bacteria that typically causes strep throat can lead to a condition called rheumatic fever. As the disease progresses, the infection can invade the heart's valves.
Symptoms of strep throat include a sore throat, pain with swallowing and red tonsils. Rheumatic fever symptoms overlap with rheumatic heart disease symptoms and include shortness of breath, chest pain, fatigue, skin rashes and a pounding heartbeat, says the American Heart Association.
Preventing rheumatic heart disease involves treating strep throat with antibiotics such as penicillin to prevent the progression of this medical condition toward rheumatic heart disease.
