Heart Murmur: Causes, Diagnosis, and Treatment

Introduction

A heart murmur is an abnormal sound heard between heartbeats, usually detected with a stethoscope. It can be a whooshing or swishing sound and may indicate turbulent blood flow through the heart. While some murmurs are harmless, others can be a sign of underlying heart conditions.

Causes of Heart Murmurs

Heart murmurs can be classified into two types:

1. Innocent (Harmless) Murmurs :

   • Common in children and pregnant women due to increased blood flow.
   • Usually do not indicate heart disease.

2. Pathological (Abnormal) Murmurs :

   • Caused by structural heart problems, such as:
     • Valve disorders (e.g., aortic stenosis, mitral regurgitation).
     • Congenital heart defects (e.g., ventricular septal defect).
     • Infections affecting the heart (e.g., endocarditis).
     • Other conditions like anemia, fever, or hyperthyroidism.

Symptoms Indicating a Serious Heart Murmur

While innocent murmurs do not cause symptoms, an abnormal murmur may be accompanied by: - Shortness of breath. - Chest pain. - Fatigue or weakness. - Dizziness or fainting. - Swelling of the legs or abdomen. - A bluish tinge on the lips or fingers (cyanosis).

Diagnosis of Heart Murmurs

Doctors evaluate murmurs using: 1. Physical Examination – Listening to the heart with a stethoscope. 2. Echocardiography – Ultrasound to visualize heart structures. 3. Electrocardiogram (ECG) – Measures electrical activity. 4. Chest X-ray – Checks heart size and lungs. 5. Cardiac MRI or CT Scan – Provides more detailed imaging. 6. Blood Tests – Identify conditions like anemia or thyroid problems.

Treatment Options

• Innocent murmurs require no treatment.
• Treatment of abnormal murmurs depends on the cause :
  • Medications : To manage symptoms or conditions like high blood pressure.
  • Surgery : Valve repair/replacement or correction of congenital defects.
  • Lifestyle Changes : Healthy diet, regular exercise, avoiding smoking/alcohol.

When to See a Doctor

If you or a loved one experiences symptoms like chest pain, shortness of breath, or unexplained fatigue, seek medical attention. Early detection and treatment of heart conditions can prevent complications.

Conclusion

A heart murmur may be harmless or could signal a serious heart problem. If a murmur is detected, proper evaluation by a healthcare provider is crucial.

Source recommendations

1. American Heart Association Guidelines on Valvular Heart Disease

1. https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/CIR.0000000000000923
2. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33332149/
3. https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/CIR.0000000000000932
4. https://professional.heart.org/en/guidelines-and-statements
5. https://www.acc.org/Latest-in-Cardiology/ten-points-to-remember/2024/03/13/18/13/2024-acc-aha-clinical-performance-valvular

2. European Society of Cardiology Guidelines on Cardiovascular Disease Prevention

1. https://www.escardio.org/Guidelines/Clinical-Practice-Guidelines/CVD-Prevention-Guidelines
2. https://academic.oup.com/eurheartj/article/42/34/3227/6358713
3. https://www.escardio.org/Guidelines/Clinical-Practice-Guidelines/CVD-and-Diabetes-Guidelines
4. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34458905/
5. https://www.escardio.org/Guidelines/Clinical-Practice-Guidelines

3. American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association (ACC/AHA) Guidelines on the Management of Adults with Congenital Heart Disease

1. https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/CIR.0000000000000603
2. https://www.acc.org/Latest-in-Cardiology/ten-points-to-remember/2018/08/13/16/26/2018-AHA-ACC-Guideline-for-the-Management-of-ACHD
3. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30121240/
4. https://www.jacc.org/doi/10.1016/j.jacc.2021.09.010
5. https://www.sts.org/sites/default/files/Endorsed%20Guidelines/2018%20Guideline%20for%20Management%20of%20Adults%20with%20CHD.pdf