What is the cause of infective endocarditis?
It can be difficult to spot as the symptoms, which can come on slowly or suddenly, could relate to other conditions. They can include: • generally feeling unwell, tired and inactive • fever • sweating and shivering at night If you are concerned that an unexplained illness could be endocarditis, contact your GP and request a blood test, if necessary reminding them that there is an increased risk due to the cardiac condition. Alternatively if you feel the need is more urgent you should get in touch with the Cardiac Liaison Nurses at your cardiac unit (or the nearest one if you attend elsewhere), they should be able to arrange a blood test and/or an appointment with a cardiologist. Usually a blood test and an echocardiogram is all that is needed to confirm the diagnosis of endocarditis.
