Chart — Cardiac
Inflammatory Heart Disease Comparison Chart
Three “-itis” of the heart, sorted by the layer they hit: the valves/lining (endocarditis), the sac (pericarditis), and the muscle (myocarditis). Same suffix, very different dangers.
Educational use only. Diagnosis and treatment are provider-directed. This chart is an educational comparison aid. This material supports nursing education and exam review. It is not medical advice and is not a substitute for clinical judgment, institutional policy, or medical direction. Always follow facility protocols and current provider orders.
Side by Side
| Disease | Layer | Cause | Hallmark signs | Main danger | Treatment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Infective endocarditis | Endocardium / valves (vegetations) | Bacteria (Staph, Strep) — IV drug use, prosthetic/diseased valves, dental/invasive procedures | Fever + new/changed murmur; Janeway lesions, Osler nodes, Roth spots, splinter hemorrhages | Valve destruction (HF) and septic EMBOLI (stroke) | Weeks of IV antibiotics ± valve surgery; prophylaxis for high-risk |
| Pericarditis | Pericardium (sac) | Viral/idiopathic, post-MI (Dressler's), uremia, autoimmune, post-cardiac surgery | Pleuritic chest pain BETTER leaning forward; friction rub; DIFFUSE ST elevation | Effusion → CARDIAC TAMPONADE | NSAIDs + colchicine; pericardiocentesis if tamponade |
| Myocarditis | Myocardium (muscle) | Usually VIRAL (post-viral illness); autoimmune, toxins | Can MIMIC MI (chest pain + ↑ troponin + ECG changes); new heart failure | Lethal arrhythmias / SUDDEN DEATH; dilated cardiomyopathy | Supportive: rest/activity restriction, treat HF & arrhythmias |
Exam Traps
- ✦Endocarditis = valves (fever + new murmur + Janeway/Osler/Roth); danger is septic emboli (stroke) and valve destruction.
- ✦Pericarditis = sac (pleuritic pain better leaning forward, friction rub, DIFFUSE ST elevation); danger is tamponade.
- ✦Myocarditis = muscle (post-viral, mimics MI, new HF); danger is sudden death and dilated cardiomyopathy.
- ✦Pericarditis ST elevation is DIFFUSE; STEMI is LOCALIZED.
- ✦Osler nodes = painful (Ouch-ler); Janeway lesions = painless.
Related Resources
Standards & sources
Fact-checked Jun 20, 2026This page is written to align with American Heart Association (AHA) · American College of Cardiology (ACC) · AHA ACLS Guidelines. It is an educational summary, not a citation of any single document — always verify specific doses, values, and protocols against current guidelines and your facility policy. How we source content →