UAE cardiologist issues endocarditis warning

Dr Klaus Kallmayer, a heart doctor based at German Heart Centre in Dubai Healthcare City, has highlighted a large incidence of patients presenting with late symptoms of rheumatic endocarditis.

The condition involves an inflammation of the heart that leads to scarring and subsequent shrinking of the valves. This, in turn, can affect the flow of blood to the heart.

Kallmayer said: "I am seeing an astonishing number of patients presenting with valve disease in our clinic, as many as ten each week.

"I had never seen such high numbers before I arrived in Dubai two years ago. However, valve disease caused by rheumatic fever really is a ticking time bomb as it can be very well tolerated by the heart for decades. However, when symptoms arise, they escalate very quickly.

The disease often shows up in 40-50 year olds, who grew up at a time when health services were less developed than they are now.

"The heart is an organ that can compensate for a great deal of stress. But, once any strain has been too great for too long, the heart will suddenly become very weak and symptoms begin," says Kallmayer.

Dr Kallmayer added: "If treated early, we can intervene through a combination of medication that relieves the burden on the heart, meaning the patient can go on for a much longer period of time without any interventions. Sometimes it can be treated surgically using minimally invasive techniques.

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