Heart murmurs are a phrase many of us hear during a doctor visit. While one is lying on the examining table, the physician sets a stethoscope on your chest, and then they stop. "You have a murmur," they may say. That can be a bit of a shock, but not all murmurs are a cause for concern.
In reality, the majority of them are absolutely harmless. They are referred to as 'innocent murmurs' and are often present in children and young adults. But there are also non-innocent murmurs that could signal something more significant with the heart. The ability to determine between the two and when to investigate further is key to the well-being of the heart.
What is a heart murmur really
A heart murmur is simply the noise of the blood flowing through the heart in a way that produces a noise like a soft whoosh or swish. A murmur could be caused by a regular flow of blood or something more eerie, like a problem with one of the heart's valves or chambers. Innocent murmurs are not caused by heart disease, they come and go and don't typically need to be treated
Non-innocent murmurs may indicate structural heart disease, such as valve defects or congenital disease of the heart. They require further assessment and in most cases further investigations.
What does a non-innocent murmur imply
Non-innocent murmurs are generally due to defects or modifications in the anatomy of the heart. A few of the more common reasons include:
These murmurs are usually louder, can sound abnormal, and are commonly linked with symptoms that must not be ignored.
Indications that the murmur might be significant
Doctors have been taught to listen for a few characteristics that suggest a murmur might be non-innocent. Some of them include:
When the murmur occurs, Diastolic murmurs, which occur in between the beats, are almost always abnormal.
How is a non-innocent murmur diagnosed?The first hearing of a murmur is just the tip of the iceberg. If a doctor thinks it may be non-innocent they will likely order one or more of the below:
Echocardiogram : A heart ultrasound that shows how blood is flowing and whether or not there are any problems.
An electrocardiogram (ECG) Measures the electrical activity of your heart.
Chest X-ray or MRI helps to visualize the shape and size of the heart.
Other tests In some cases other tests like stress testing or cardiac catheterization may be needed.
What about childrenIn children, murmurs are especially common and most are harmless. But if a murmur develops after infancy gets louder or comes with symptoms like feeding difficulty or frequent breathing difficulties it's worth taking further. Early detection can make a difference.
When to seek medical care
You should always follow up in the event of a murmur:
Here's what one should keep in mind
The majority are benign, especially in children. But so it is that some murmurs are the body's effort to tell us that something is wrong. The sooner we listen, the better we respond. If you or someone you dear has been told that you have a murmur, take it as a wake-up call to listen more closely to your heart. A simple test like an echocardiogram can reassure you or detect a problem early when it is simplest to fix.
In reality, the majority of them are absolutely harmless. They are referred to as 'innocent murmurs' and are often present in children and young adults. But there are also non-innocent murmurs that could signal something more significant with the heart. The ability to determine between the two and when to investigate further is key to the well-being of the heart.
What is a heart murmur really
A heart murmur is simply the noise of the blood flowing through the heart in a way that produces a noise like a soft whoosh or swish. A murmur could be caused by a regular flow of blood or something more eerie, like a problem with one of the heart's valves or chambers. Innocent murmurs are not caused by heart disease, they come and go and don't typically need to be treated
Non-innocent murmurs may indicate structural heart disease, such as valve defects or congenital disease of the heart. They require further assessment and in most cases further investigations.
What does a non-innocent murmur imply
Non-innocent murmurs are generally due to defects or modifications in the anatomy of the heart. A few of the more common reasons include:
- Leaky or narrowed valves
- Defects inside the heart like atrial or ventricular septal defects
- Cardiomyopathy: a condition of the heart muscle
- Infections like endocarditis
- Congenital heart disease that is present at birth
These murmurs are usually louder, can sound abnormal, and are commonly linked with symptoms that must not be ignored.
Indications that the murmur might be significant
Doctors have been taught to listen for a few characteristics that suggest a murmur might be non-innocent. Some of them include:
When the murmur occurs, Diastolic murmurs, which occur in between the beats, are almost always abnormal.
- What it sounds like: Harsh or loud murmurs or those that cause vibrations, which are thrills, are concerning.
- Where the sound is heading If the sound is radiating back or to the neck, that is a warning sign.
- Better still, look out for other signs:
- Unusual fatigue or breathlessness
- Chest pain or tightness
- Dizziness or fainting
- Belly and leg swelling
- Blue lips or skin especially in babies
How is a non-innocent murmur diagnosed?The first hearing of a murmur is just the tip of the iceberg. If a doctor thinks it may be non-innocent they will likely order one or more of the below:
Echocardiogram : A heart ultrasound that shows how blood is flowing and whether or not there are any problems.
An electrocardiogram (ECG) Measures the electrical activity of your heart.
Chest X-ray or MRI helps to visualize the shape and size of the heart.
Other tests In some cases other tests like stress testing or cardiac catheterization may be needed.
What about childrenIn children, murmurs are especially common and most are harmless. But if a murmur develops after infancy gets louder or comes with symptoms like feeding difficulty or frequent breathing difficulties it's worth taking further. Early detection can make a difference.
When to seek medical care
You should always follow up in the event of a murmur:
- Comes with symptoms like chest pain or shortness of breath
- Lasts very long especially if you are not well
- Even if you are feeling fine it's better to screen. Some heart conditions are silent for a very long time before they show symptoms.
Here's what one should keep in mind
The majority are benign, especially in children. But so it is that some murmurs are the body's effort to tell us that something is wrong. The sooner we listen, the better we respond. If you or someone you dear has been told that you have a murmur, take it as a wake-up call to listen more closely to your heart. A simple test like an echocardiogram can reassure you or detect a problem early when it is simplest to fix.
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