health

The heart has four chambers and four valves that regulate the flow of blood
through the heart. Each valve is made up of two or three smaller parts,
known as leaflets, that swing open and shut. As the heart beats, it pumps
blood through the chambers and out of the heart to the lungs and the rest
of the body. The valves open to allow blood to pass through and out of
the heart and then close to keep the blood from flowing backward.
In a normal heart, the swift, smooth movement of blood sweeps foreign
material such as bacteria away from the heart. However, some people have
defects in their heart valves, the endocardium, or other parts of the heart that
disrupt the flow of blood. This disruption can allow bacteria or other germs
that reach the heart through the bloodstream to lodge there and multiply,
which results in an infection that inflames the heart valves, muscles, and
endocardium, producing endocarditis. The inflammation (in-flah-MAYshun),
which is the body’s response to injury or infection, can be significant,
in which case it may inflict damage on or even destroy the heart valves.