Risk of endocarditis from probiotics

I had endocarditis from the bacteria streptococcus viridins (sp?) in 2004 and had a mitral valve repair in 2005 (I had had mitral regurgitation for years).

I have been taking probiotics in capsule form (as well as eating yogurt) for six years because of constipation problems which probiotics seems to help a bit.  I recently heard something about probiotics being able to cause endocarditis in people with mechanical valves (NOT MY CASE since my valve was repaired).  However, since I am more at risk of contracting endocarditis since I have already had it, I am wondering if I should stop taking them.

[Yvette BG]

Hi--I think I'd ask your cardiologist what he or she recommends.

Providing you're taking the recommended amounts daily and not doubling or tripling up, I would think it should be fine. In fact, there's some evidence that probiotics may help reduce inflammation in people that are prone to it--which would mean they would be more on the heart healthy side. And some studies also show probiotics can help keep the good bacteria in one's mouth in proper balance--which again, would be better on the heart since harmful bacteria can enter the bloodstream through dental procedures, dental infections, etc.

I myself have been taking probiotics as a preventative for 1 1/2 years now (after getting a Clostridium Difficile infection), and it's been much easier to control my dental plaque since I've been on the yogurt, drinking Kefir, and taking 1 probiotic pill daily. Even my hygienist has noticed the difference when she's cleaned my teeth.

---Yvette