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Key Points
- A heart murmur is an extra or unusual sound heart
during a heartbeat. Murmurs range from very faint to very loud. They sometimes
sound like a whooshing or swishing noise.
- There are two types of heart murmurs: innocent
(harmless) and abnormal. A person who has an innocent murmur has a normal heart
and usually has no other signs or symptoms of a heart problem. Innocent murmurs
are common in healthy children. A person who has an abnormal murmur may have
other signs or symptoms of a heart problem.
- A heart murmur is not a disease, and most murmurs
are harmless. However, a murmur may be a sign of a heart problem, especially if
other signs or symptoms are present.
- Innocent heart murmurs are sounds heard when
blood flows through a normal heart. This may happen if blood flows faster than
normal through the heart or if theres extra blood flow through the heart.
Changes to the heart that result from
heart
surgery or aging also may cause some innocent heart murmurs.
- The most common cause of abnormal heart murmurs
in children is
congenital
heart defects. These are problems with the hearts structure that are
present at birth. Infections or other conditions that damage the heart valves
or other structures of the heart also may cause abnormal heart murmurs. Heart
murmurs due to these problems are more common in adults.
- Some people who have heart murmurs have signs and
symptoms of heart problems. These may include a blue coloring of the skin, poor
eating and abnormal growth (in infants), shortness of breath, excessive
sweating, chest pain, dizziness or fainting, and fatigue (feeling very
tired).
- Doctors use a stethoscope to listen to heart
sounds and hear heart murmurs. To diagnose a heart murmur, your doctor may do a
physical exam, ask about your medical and family histories, and ask about your
symptoms. If your doctor suspects that you or your child has an abnormal heart
murmur, he or she may order diagnostic tests.
- Many people who have innocent heart murmurs
dont need treatment. In some cases, an innocent heart murmur may be due
to an illness or condition. The murmur will go away once the illness or
condition is treated. Treatment for abnormal heart murmurs depends on the heart
problem causing them. Treatments may include medicine or surgery.
- Innocent heart murmurs dont cause symptoms
or require you to limit physical activity. Although an innocent murmur may be a
lifelong condition, your heart is normal and you likely dont need
treatment.
- If you have an abnormal heart murmur, the amount
and type of ongoing care and treatment you will need depends on how severe your
condition is. Talk to your doctor about the type of care you need.
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Treatments Links
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