Heart murmurs
They are very prevalent in patients with endocarditis, and up to 85% of patients have a heart murmur. However, many patients with heart murmurs already had them before endocarditis ensued, and having one predisposes patients to this disease. Heart murmurs are sounds made by the heart and its valves as the blood rushes in and out of its chambers. It may be common in patients with congenital heart diseases, and appears or becomes changed during infectious endocarditis due to inflammation and the mechanical changes in the inner linings of the heart.