When a blood infection has spread to the heart, how long can you survive?

Endocarditis: If the bacteria begin growing on the heart valves, the key to survival is early detection and antibiotic Rx and/or perhaps surgery. Nevertheless, treatment is not always successful and many of these patients do die. Historically the course was a few months -- Mozart's six-month illness is perhaps typical of his era. Most often, sepsis does not result in endocarditis especially if the heart is ok.