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what causes infection in the blood and can it cause heart failure?

14 Mar
 
6 Comments

Posted in Heart Failure Causes

 

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  1. slprn67

    March 14, 2010 at 8:54 am

    The most common causes of heart failure are hypertension (high blood pressure) and coronary artery disease (for example, you have had a heart attack). Other structural or functional causes of heart failure include the following:

    Valvular heart disease
    Congenital heart disease
    Dilated cardiomyopathy
    Lung disease
    Heart tumor
    Septicemia: Systemic (bodywide) illness with toxicity due to invasion of the bloodstream by virulent bacteria coming from a local seat of infection. The symptoms of chills, fever and exhaustion are caused by the bacteria and substances they produce. The disorder is treated with massive doses of antibiotics. Also known as blood poisoning

     

  2. CaliDoc

    March 14, 2010 at 9:16 am

    Bacteria from an already infected source can get into the blood (thus infecting it). The usual causes are urinary tract infections, skin infections, intestinal infections or dental infections. There are many other possibilities. Nonetheless, the bacteria in the blood will cause your body to react with a cascade of hormones and immune modulating chemicals which also cause vasodilation and a drop in blood pressure. When this happens, the heart works harder to pump larger amounts of blood at a faster rate. If a person has a pre-existing heart problem (previous heart attack, arrhythmia, valve problems, cardiomyopathy, or sometimes just old age), this demand may be too much and one may go into heart failure.

    If one survives the initial phase of the infection in a hospital setting, it is usually because medications and large amounts of fluid were given. About 3-5 days after the initial battle is fought, the body will move the extra fluid it accumulated back into the blood space, placing a new kind of demand on the heart, lungs and kidneys. Again, a person with prior heart or kidney problems could end up in heart failure.

    To shorten my answer: infection in the blood is from an infection elsewhere in the body and YES it can cause heart failure (acutely or delayed).

     

  3. Lissacal

    March 14, 2010 at 9:32 am

    It can cause the heart to fail…..

    Blood infection is called sepsis. Many different microbes can cause sepsis. Although bacteria are most commonly the cause, viruses and fungi can also cause sepsis. Infections in the lungs (pneumonia), bladder and kidneys (urinary tract infections), skin (cellulitis), abdomen (such as appendicitis), and other organs (such as meningitis) can spread and lead to sepsis. Infections that develop after surgery can also lead to sepsis.

    Sepsis Symptoms & Signs:
    Fever or hypothermia (low body temperature)
    Hyperventilation
    Chills
    Shaking
    Warm skin
    Skin rash
    ****Rapid heart beat (tachycardia)
    Confusion or delirium
    Decreased urine output

    Septic shock is a serious, abnormal condition that occurs when an overwhelming infection leads to low blood pressure and low blood flow. Vital organs, such as the brain, HEART, kidneys, and liver may not function properly or may fail.

     

  4. Hybridoma

    March 14, 2010 at 9:50 am

    Try looking up Rheumatic Fever and then streptococcus pyogenes. It can cause Heart Valve failure. Nasty little bugger

     

  5. gailforce_wind

    March 14, 2010 at 10:25 am

    Sepsis or blood poisoning can be caused by just about any infection if it is given a chance to run its course without any treatment and overcomes the body’s immune system. In itself it may not cause heart failure, although the damage to other bodily functions and organs will.

    Plaque can accumulate in the valves of the heart after a bout with blood poisoning and cause cardiac damage so sever that it causes death even if the infection is brought under control. Thus an infection of that nature can eventually lead to heart failure.

    Other than injuries the most common culprit is often tooth decay. The infection may not cause much alarm in the victim and can get to the point where heart and kidney damage take place before treatment is sought.

     

  6. kesmin

    March 14, 2010 at 11:21 am

    certain streptococcal bacteria can get into the blood stream causing endocarditis, inflammation of the heart which can lead to heart failure. often the bacteria originate in the mouth and throat but can be caused following a wound