Treat strep infections promptly to prevent rheumatic fever. Treat other causative disorders.

Note any history of heart valve disease or congenital heart disease before treatment by a health care provider or dentist. Any dental work, including cleaning, and any invasive procedure can introduce bacteria into the bloodstream. This bacteria can infect a damaged mitral valve, causing endocarditis. Preventive treatment with antibiotics given just before dental or other invasive procedures may decrease the risk of endocarditis.