Which condition is inflammation of the innermost lining of the heart, including the heart valves?

• A. Endocarditis
• B. Myocarditis
• C. Pericarditis
• D. Aneurysm

Answer: (A)

Inflammation of the innermost lining of the heart, including the valves, is endocarditis. The inner lining, called the endocardium, covers the heart chambers and lines the heart valves. When this lining becomes inflamed, especially with valve involvement, the condition is endocarditis. This is different from myocarditis, which affects the heart muscle itself, and pericarditis, which affects the outer lining around the heart. An aneurysm is not an inflammatory condition; it’s a bulging out or dilation of a vessel or heart chamber. Endocarditis can damage valves and is often treated with antibiotics, sometimes requiring procedures if valve damage is significant.