A heart murmur is a sound made by turbulent blood flow within the heart. It is typically heard by a doctor when listening to the heart with a stethoscope. Murmurs can range from very faint to very loud and sometimes sound like a whooshing or swishing noise. Although heart murmurs themselves are not a disease, they may suggest an underlying heart problem.
Types of Heart Murmurs
Heart murmurs are classified into two categories:- Innocent Murmurs: These do not indicate any problem with the heart’s structure or function. They are common in healthy children and are sometimes found in adults. Innocent murmurs can disappear over time or may last a lifetime without causing further health issues.
- Abnormal Murmurs: These are more concerning as they may indicate cardiac problems. Conditions that might cause abnormal murmurs include infections, valve abnormalities (like stenosis or regurgitation), congenital heart defects, and other factors that affect blood flow through the heart.
Causes
The causes of abnormal heart murmurs include:- Valvular Heart Disease: Problems with the heart valves, such as stenosis (narrowing of the valve) or regurgitation (leakage of the valve).
- Hole in the Heart: Defects such as atrial septal defect or ventricular septal defect.
- Endocarditis: Infection of the inner lining of the heart valves and chambers.
- Rheumatic Fever: A complication of strep throat that can damage heart valves.
- Cardiomyopathy: A disease of the heart muscle that affects its size, shape, or thickness.
- Hyperthyroidism: Increased thyroid activity can lead to faster blood flow and a heart murmur.
Symptoms
Innocent murmurs generally do not cause symptoms. However, abnormal murmurs may be associated with signs of the underlying heart problem, such as:- Shortness of breath
- Chest pain
- A rapid heartbeat or palpitations
- Fainting or near-fainting episodes
- Fatigue
- Cyanosis (a bluish tint to the skin, especially on fingertips and lips)
- Swelling of limbs or abdomen
Diagnosis
Diagnosing a heart murmur and its underlying cause often involves:- Physical examination: Listening to the heart with a stethoscope.
- Echocardiogram: An ultrasound of the heart that provides detailed images of the heart’s structure and function.
- Electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG): Measures the heart’s electrical activity.
- Chest X-ray: Shows the size and shape of the heart and the condition of the lungs.
- Cardiac MRI: Provides detailed images of the heart and major vessels.
Treatment
Treatment of a heart murmur depends on the cause and severity of the underlying condition. Innocent murmurs typically require no treatment. For abnormal murmurs, treatment options might include:- Medications: To control symptoms or manage heart failure, high blood pressure, or infections.
- Surgical interventions: Such as valve repair or replacement, or procedures to correct congenital heart defects.