ICD-Code I38: Endocarditis, valve unspecified
You have heart valve disease.
There are 4 valves in the heart. These valves ensure that the blood flows in the right direction. So they have to close tightly. They also have to open up fully so that the blood can be properly pumped out of the heart.
Heart valve disease can, for example, be caused by prolonged inflammation. This can alter the affected heart valve. The exact effects depend, for example, on how the heart valve has changed. If a heart valve is narrowed, the blood does not flow as well through it. If a heart valve is leaking, some blood may flow back through the valve each time the heart beats. The heart may then have to work harder to pump enough blood through the altered valve.
Depending on the exact nature of the changes in the heart valves, you may experience shortness of breath or a rapid heartbeat. You may also feel weak or tired. One may also feel dizzy or have chest pains when certain changes occur to the heart’s valves. If the heart can no longer pump enough blood, this can cause back-up. This can cause fluid to accumulate, for example in the legs or lungs.
Additional indicator
On medical documents, the ICD code is often appended by letters that indicate the diagnostic certainty or the affected side of the body.
- G: Confirmed diagnosis
- V: Tentative diagnosis
- Z: Condition after
- A: Excluded diagnosis
- L: Left
- R: Right
- B: Both sides
Further information
Note
This information is not intended for self-diagnosis and does not replace professional medical advice from a doctor. If you find an ICD code on a personal medical document, please also note the additional indicator used for diagnostic confidence.Your doctor will assist you with any health-related questions and explain the ICD diagnosis code to you in a direct consultation if necessary.
Source
Provided by the non-profit organization “Was hab’ ich?” gemeinnützige GmbH on behalf of the Federal Ministry of Health (BMG).
