People Who Need Antibiotics to Prevent Endocarditis If you have
a normal heart, you have a low risk for endocarditis. But if you
have a problem with your heart that affects normal blood flow
through the heart, it is more likely that bacteria or fungi will
attach to heart tissue. This puts you at a higher risk for
endocarditis. If you have certain heart conditions, getting
endocarditis is even more dangerous for you. These heart
conditions include: If you have any of these heart conditions,
you may need to take antibiotics before you have certain dental
or surgical procedures that could put bacteria or fungi into
your blood. The antibiotics lower your risk of getting
endocarditis. If you do not have these conditions, antibiotics
are not likely to help you. For more information, read about
what procedures may require antibiotics to prevent endocarditis.
Talk to your doctor or dentist Your doctor can tell you whether
you need to take antibiotics. Before you have any medical,
dental, or surgical procedures, tell