It can be scary to learn that you or your child has a heart murmur. However, heart murmurs are quite common and are often harmless.
They occur in many healthy children, who may or may not outgrow them as adults. They may also occur during pregnancy. Such murmurs are called "innocent" heart murmurs. They are not associated with medical or heart conditions, and do not require treatment or lifestyle changes
Angina -- Discomfort, pain, or pressure in the chest caused by an inadequate blood supply to the heart. Pain may also be felt in the neck, jaw, or arms.
Angiogram (cardiac catheterization) -- A test used to diagnose heart disease. During the procedure a catheter is inserted into an artery, usually in the leg, and contrast dye is injected into the arteries and heart. X-rays of the arteries and heart are taken.
Anticoagulant -- A medication that prevents blood from clotting; used for...
Though many murmurs are innocent, some may indicate serious heart problems. For instance, heart murmurs may be caused by blood flowing through a heart valve made leaky or narrow by disease. Murmurs can also be caused by increased blood flow across a valve as a result of medical conditions such as anemia or hyperthyroidism. Congenital heart defects (heart problems present at birth) can also cause heart murmurs. These sometimes can be repaired with surgery.
Within the heart there are four chambers separated by valves that regulate how much blood enters each chamber at any time. Healthy valves also help prevent blood from flowing in the wrong direction in your heart.
A healthy heart makes a "lub-dub" sound as it beats. The "lub" (systolic sound) happens when part of the heart contracts and the mitral and tricuspid valves close, and the "dub" (diastolic sound) occurs when part of the heart relaxes and the aortic and pulmonic valves close. A heart murmur is an extra sound, such as a whooshing, in the heartbeat caused by turbulent blood flow through the heart valves.
Heart murmurs can be heard through a stethoscope and often are detected during routine physical exams. On further examination, your doctor may find that the heart murmur is innocent. If your heart murmur is related to more serious heart problems, your doctor may refer you to a cardiologist (heart specialist). Medication or surgery may be recommended to treat the underlying problem. With a thorough physical examination and proper tests, your doctor should be able to tell what causes your heart murmur.
Heart Murmur Symptoms
Many people with heart murmurs experience no symptoms. However, some murmurs can occur in conjunction with these other symptoms:
Rapid heartbeat (palpitations)
Bluish skin color or fingertips (sometimes seen in babies with congenital heart defects)