What is a Heart Murmur?
A heart murmur is used to express sounds that occur as a result of disruption of the flow of blood as it circulates through the heart. Under normal conditions, such sounds do not occur when blood flows in a healthy way in the heart. However, in some cases, these murmurs heard in the heart; heart holes can indicate heart valve diseases or some problems in the heart vessels.
What Are the Types of Murmurs?
Murmur is not a disease name, it is the general name of the loud sounds heard in the heart. It is an examination finding that may be a harbinger of heart disease. The cause of the murmur is important. Murmurs can be divided into two main groups as pathological murmurs and innocent murmurs.
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Pathological Murmurs:
More severe murmurs are murmurs caused by conditions such as a valve stenosis or insufficiency, a vascular stenosis, or a hole in the heart, depending on the place and type we hear.
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Innocent Murmurs:
They are light, usually musical sounds heard for reasons such as the vibration of insignificant fibrous bands inside the heart, even though the heart is normal, which is very common especially in childhood. There is no disease here.
Types of Murmurs Heard are divided into 3;
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Diastolic Murmurs:
They are heard during the relaxation of the heart. They are low frequency.
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Continuous Murmurs:
They are heard during both contraction and relaxation of the heart.
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Systolic Murmurs:
They are heard during the contraction of the heart.
How to Diagnose Murmurs?
As a result of the examination, the heart disease specialist can most likely tell which group the murmur heard in the patient will fall into.
To find out if the murmur is innocent by listening:
- How high is it?
- In which of the heart foci it is heard?
- Its relationship with breathing and/or body posture,
- Attention is paid to which phase of the cardiac cycle begins and ends.
Then, a definitive diagnosis is made by requesting additional tests.
Additional tests:
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Lung X-Ray:
It roughly indicates the size of the heart, the location of the lungs and major vessels.
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Electrocardiography:
Indicates whether there is a disturbance in the electrical conduction of the heart.
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Echocardiogram:
In this method, also known as heart ultrasound, the condition and functionality of intracardiac structures are evaluated during the heart’s work. Echocardiographic examination is recommended for definitive diagnosis, especially in children under 2 years of age.
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Cardiac Catheterization:
A catheter is inserted through the groin to measure the pressures in the heart chambers.
What Causes My Murmur?
Congenital or acquired cardiovascular problems cause murmurs in their own specific places and of different qualities. There are many types of murmurs according to their severity and frequency.
Although they are entirely harmless, they can sometimes indicate mild or severe heart disease. Additionally, temporary functional murmurs may be detected even when the heart and blood vessels are normal, often occurring under conditions that increase blood flow, such as anemia, pregnancy, or an overactive thyroid gland.
What are the Most Common Causes of Murmur in Infants and Children?
Heart Diseases Seen with Murmur:
- Hole in the heart (or cardiac shunt),
- Pathologies in the heart valves (stenosis or insufficiency),
In Older Children And Adults:
- Lid calcifications,
- Endocarditis,
- It is rheumatic fever.
What Are the Symptoms of Heart Disease Other Than Murmur?
The presence of any of the following symptoms, with or without a murmur, may be a precursor to heart disease.
Murmur in Babies:
- Bruising
- Frequent breathing, groaning
- Inability to gain weight
- Retardation in growth and development
- Frequent lung infections
Murmur in Children:
- Fainting or fainting
- Rhythm disorders
- Chest pain
- Weakness,
- Fatigue quickly
- Squatting
Murmur Treatment
Murmurs themselves are not treated directly; rather, the underlying condition causing the murmur is addressed. If the murmur is a symptom of a more serious heart issue, your doctor might suggest treating the primary heart condition.
Depending on the diagnosis, treatment options could include medications, cardiac catheterization, or surgery. For abnormal heart murmurs, the course of action varies based on the type and severity of the associated heart problem.
For example, if a murmur results from vascular stenosis, resolving the stenosis will eliminate it. Similarly, if a murmur stems from a hole in the heart, closing this hole would stop the murmur from occurring.
In cases of functional murmurs caused by increased blood flow velocity—such as murmurs due to anemia or hyperthyroidism—addressing these conditions will typically cause the murmur to disappear.
Heart Murmur: Frequently Asked Questions
What exactly is a heart murmur and how is it detected?
A heart murmur is an extra or unusual sound heard during a heartbeat, typically described as a whooshing or swishing noise. While a normal heartbeat makes a “lub-dub” sound as valves close, a murmur occurs when blood flows turbulently through or near the heart.
Doctors usually detect murmurs during a physical exam using a stethoscope. These sounds are categorized by their timing (systolic or diastolic), intensity (on a scale of 1 to 6), and location. While the sound itself isn’t a disease, it can be a sign of an underlying cardiac condition.
What is the difference between an innocent and an abnormal heart murmur?
Medical professionals divide heart murmurs into two primary categories:
- Innocent Murmurs: These are common in healthy children and adolescents. They occur when blood flows rapidly through the heart during exercise, fever, or growth spurts. They are not dangerous and do not require treatment.
- Abnormal Murmurs: In adults, these are often linked to acquired heart valve disease. In children, they may be caused by congenital heart defects (structural issues present at birth). These require specialized monitoring or intervention.
What are the common symptoms associated with an abnormal heart murmur?
An innocent heart murmur typically presents no symptoms. However, if a murmur is clinically significant (abnormal), it may be accompanied by signs of underlying heart strain, such as:
- Shortness of breath (Dyspnea): Especially during physical activity or when lying flat.
- Chest pain: A feeling of tightness or pressure.
- Dizziness or Fainting: Often caused by reduced blood flow to the brain.
- Cyanosis: A bluish tint on the skin, lips, or fingertips (common in congenital cases).
- Chronic fatigue: Feeling unusually tired even after rest.
What causes heart valve-related murmurs in adults?
In adults, abnormal heart murmurs are most frequently caused by Heart Valve Disease.
This includes two main issues:
- Stenosis: The heart valves become stiff or narrow, forcing the heart to work harder to pump blood through a smaller opening.
- Regurgitation: The valves do not close properly, allowing blood to leak backward (often called a “leaky valve”).
Other causes include calcium deposits due to aging, endocarditis (an infection of the heart lining), or complications from rheumatic fever.
How do doctors diagnose the cause of a heart murmur?
If a physician hears a suspicious murmur, they will order diagnostic tests to visualize the heart’s structure and function. The “gold standard” for diagnosis is the Echocardiogram (an ultrasound of the heart).
Additional tests may include:
- Electrocardiogram (ECG/EKG): To check the heart’s electrical rhythm.
- Chest X-ray: To see if the heart is enlarged.
- Cardiac Catheterization: To measure pressure within the heart chambers in complex cases.
Is a heart murmur curable or do I need treatment?
The treatment for a heart murmur depends entirely on its cause. Innocent murmurs require no treatment and often disappear on their own. For abnormal murmurs, the goal is to manage the underlying condition.
Management options range from lifestyle changes and medications (like beta-blockers or blood thinners) to surgical procedures. Modern medicine offers minimally invasive options, such as TAVR (Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement), to repair or replace damaged valves without open-heart surgery.
