Heart Murmur

A heart murmur is an abnormal sound heard when listening to the heartbeat with a stethoscope. It is usually caused by turbulent blood flow across the heart valves or near the valves.

Types of Heart Murmurs

• Innocent murmurs: These are harmless and do not indicate any underlying heart condition. They are often heard in children and may disappear as the child grows older.
• Pathological murmurs: These are caused by an underlying heart condition, such as a valve problem or a hole in the heart.
• Systolic murmurs: These occur during systole (contraction of the heart muscle) and are often associated with mitral regurgitation or aortic stenosis.
• Diastolic murmurs: These occur during diastole (relaxation of the heart muscle) and are often associated with mitral stenosis or aortic regurgitation.

Causes of Heart Murmurs

Heart murmurs can be caused by a variety of factors, including:

• Valve problems: Such as mitral regurgitation, mitral stenosis, aortic stenosis, or aortic regurgitation.
• Holes in the heart: Such as atrial septal defect (ASD) or ventricular septal defect (VSD).
• Cardiomyopathy: A disease of the heart muscle that can cause the heart to become enlarged or thickened.
• Endocarditis: An infection of the inner lining of the heart, including the valves.
• Rheumatic fever: A complication of untreated strep throat that can cause valve damage.

Symptoms of Heart Murmurs

Some people with a heart murmur may not experience any symptoms, while others may experience:

• Chest pain or discomfort
• Shortness of breath
• Fatigue
• Lightheadedness or dizziness
• Palpitations or irregular heartbeat

Diagnosis of Heart Murmurs

A heart murmur is typically diagnosed using a combination of the following tests:

• Physical examination: A doctor will listen to the heartbeat with a stethoscope to detect any abnormal sounds.
• Chest X-ray: To evaluate the size and shape of the heart.
• Electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG): To measure the electrical activity of the heart.
• Echocardiogram: An ultrasound test that uses sound waves to create images of the heart and its valves.
• Cardiac catheterization: A procedure in which a small tube is inserted into an artery or vein and guided to the heart to measure blood pressure and take blood samples.

Treatment of Heart Murmurs

Treatment for a heart murmur depends on the underlying cause and may include:

• Medications: To control symptoms such as high blood pressure, chest pain, or irregular heartbeat.
• Surgery: To repair or replace a damaged valve or to close a hole in the heart.
• Catheter-based procedures: Such as balloon valvuloplasty or transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR).
• Lifestyle modifications: Such as maintaining a healthy weight, exercising regularly, and managing stress.

Complications of Heart Murmurs

If left untreated, a heart murmur can lead to complications such as:

• Heart failure
• Arrhythmias
• Endocarditis
• Stroke
• Sudden cardiac death

Prevention of Heart Murmurs

While some heart murmurs cannot be prevented, there are steps that can be taken to reduce the risk of developing a heart murmur:

• Maintaining a healthy weight
• Exercising regularly
• Eating a healthy diet
• Managing stress
• Getting enough sleep
• Avoiding tobacco and excessive alcohol consumption