It's the unusual change to your hands and fingers that could be a warning sign of a silent killer. Endocarditis, a rare and potentially fatal infection of the inner lining of the heart, is usually caused by bacteria entering the blood and travelling to the heart, the British Heart Foundation says.
While symptoms can range from night sweats to swelling in your feet, another symptom can be visible on your hands, the Mirror reports. If you spot any red or purple marks on your palms or fingers, you may need to seek the advice of a GP.
Endocarditis is very rare in people with normal hearts who have no other risk factors but the symptoms have sometimes been known to start suddenly and are severe - in some cases it can even be fatal.
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Although the heart is usually well protected against infection, it may be easier for bacteria to bypass the immune system in people who have:
- an artificial heart valve
- congenital heart disease
- hypertrophic cardiomyopathy – where the heart muscle cells have enlarged and the walls of the heart chambers thicken
- damaged heart valves
- had endocarditis before.
Other symptoms of endocarditis
The initial symptoms of endocarditis are similar to flu and include a high temperature, chills, headache, joint and muscle pain. Without treatment, the infection damages the heart valves and disrupts the normal flow of blood through the heart.
Endocarditis is treated with a course of antibiotics given via a drip and you'll need to be admitted to hospital for this. It's also possible to have surgery to repair or replace a damaged valve or to drain any abscesses. The NHS warns that endocarditis is a serious illness, especially if complications develop. Early diagnosis and treatment is vital to improve the outlook for the condition.
