Heart Murmur Symptoms

Under normal circumstances, the human heartbeat sounds like a lub-dub. When doctors hear any unusual sounds while examining the heartbeat using a stethoscope, such sounds are referred to as heart murmurs or cardiac murmurs. These abnormal heart sounds are classified into innocent or abnormal cardiac murmurs. When sounds that emanate from the heart are not indicative of any heart problems, they are referred to as innocent heart murmurs. Abnormal cardiac murmurs are the sounds that indicate heart valve problems. The treatment of heart murmur generally varies depending upon the severity of the heart murmur symptoms.

Causes and Symptoms of Heart Murmur

Innocent heart murmurs in children and adults are not a cause of serious concern. Heart murmur in infants and children is caused when the blood flows through the heart at a higher speed. As a result, unusual noises are accompanied with the heartbeat. Such sounds may arise in women during pregnancy. These innocent murmurs are caused due to the increased amount of blood flowing through the heart chambers. In case of babies, such abnormal heart sounds could be caused due to congenital heart valve defects.

Cardiac murmurs in adults could be caused due to heart valve diseases such as aortic stenosis, aortic regurgitation or aortic sclerosis. Endocarditis, a medical condition associated with the inflammation of the inner lining of the heart could also cause heart murmur in adults. Blood might also flow at a faster rate due to medical conditions such as anemia, hyperthyroidism and rheumatic fever. These abnormal swishing sounds may be heard in teenagers and adults suffering from a heart valve disease called mitral valve prolapse. When abnormal murmurs are caused due to such medical conditions, the patient might experience symptoms such as fatigue, bluish skin on lips and fingertips, shortness of breath, faster heart rate, dizziness, chest pain, poor appetite and excessive sweating.

Treatment of Heart Murmur

Innocent cardiac murmurs are nothing to be afraid of. These abnormal sounds can be heard with the help of a routine physical examination. A stethoscope can be used to check whether the patient's heartbeat is normal or not. These heart sounds can range from faint to very loud swooshing noises. If there are any unusual sounds, doctors might perform chest X-rays, cardiac angiography and ECG in order to check for any valve abnormalities or any heart disease. Since temporary cardiac murmurs could be attributed to certain medical conditions such as anemia, hyperthyroidism or rheumatic fever, the underlying cause must be identified and treated. Similarly, abnormal heart murmurs can be treated by treating the concerned heart disease. Surgery might be recommended to correct the structural abnormalities of the heart. Leaky valves, constricted blood vessels or holes in the heart might be corrected with the help of surgical methods. Replacement of valves, closing of holes and enlargement of the blood vessels can be performed to treat this condition. Antibiotics might also be used for treating the heart problems.

While innocent cardiac murmurs are harmless, abnormal cardiac murmurs could be indicative of heart problems. Since an early diagnosis can surely help in successful treatment of heart problems, those who experience symptoms associated with heart conditions must consult a cardiologist soon.