What types of heart conditions pose a risk?
Certain heart conditions are more often associated with endocarditis than others. To determine if an existing heart condition poses a risk, your dentist needs complete health information on your medical history form. The form should also include the name and address of your family physician or cardiologist as well as the names and dosages of all medications that you take. Do any of these apply to you? • Heart surgery within past six months • Pacemaker • Vascular surgery (replaced artery) within past six months • Artificial heart valve • History of rheumatic fever • History of heart murmur (mitral valve prolapse) • Previous bacterial endocarditis • Systemic pulmonary shunt • Congenital heart defect • Acquired valvular dysfunction If you have any of these conditions, if you have been diagnosed with other heart ailments, or if your health status has changed since your last dental visit, tell your dentist as you may be a candidate for antibiotic pre-medication. What about a joint replaceme
