Created at:1/16/2025
A heart murmur is simply an extra sound your heart makes between its regular beats. Think of it as a whooshing or swishing noise that your doctor can hear through a stethoscope. Most heart murmurs are completely harmless and don't require any treatment at all.
While the word "murmur" might sound concerning, it's important to know that many people live their entire lives with innocent heart murmurs without ever experiencing problems. However, some murmurs can signal underlying heart conditions that need attention.
A heart murmur occurs when blood flows through your heart in a way that creates turbulence, producing an extra sound. Your heart normally makes two distinct sounds as it beats, often described as "lub-dub." A murmur adds a third sound, like a gentle whoosh or swish.
Heart murmurs fall into two main categories: innocent (also called functional) and abnormal. Innocent murmurs are harmless and don't affect your heart's ability to pump blood effectively. Abnormal murmurs may indicate structural problems with your heart that need medical evaluation.
Many children have innocent heart murmurs that disappear as they grow older. Adults can also develop new murmurs due to changes in their heart or blood flow patterns throughout life.
Most heart murmurs don't cause any symptoms at all. Innocent murmurs are typically discovered during routine check-ups when your doctor listens to your heart with a stethoscope.
However, if your heart murmur is related to an underlying heart condition, you might experience some symptoms. Here are signs that warrant attention:
If you experience any of these symptoms along with a known heart murmur, it's wise to contact your healthcare provider. They can help determine whether your symptoms are related to your murmur or something else entirely.
Heart murmurs are classified into two main types based on whether they indicate a problem with your heart's structure or function.
Innocent Heart Murmurs: These are harmless sounds that don't indicate any heart problems. They're extremely common in children and may come and go throughout life. Innocent murmurs often become more noticeable when your heart rate increases due to fever, exercise, or excitement.
Abnormal Heart Murmurs: These murmurs suggest there may be a structural problem with your heart. They can be present from birth (congenital) or develop later in life (acquired). Abnormal murmurs require further evaluation to determine the underlying cause.
Doctors also classify murmurs by their timing during your heartbeat, their loudness, and their location in your chest. This information helps them understand what might be causing the murmur and whether it needs treatment.
Heart murmurs develop when blood flow through your heart becomes turbulent rather than smooth. This turbulence can happen for many different reasons, ranging from completely normal variations to structural heart problems.
Let's explore the common causes of innocent heart murmurs first, which are completely normal variations:
Abnormal heart murmurs can result from structural problems with your heart that you're born with or that develop over time. Here are the main causes:
In rare cases, abnormal murmurs can indicate more complex congenital heart conditions or acquired heart diseases. Your doctor can help determine which category your murmur falls into through careful evaluation.
You should see a doctor if you experience any symptoms that concern you, especially if they seem related to your heart. Don't wait if you're having chest pain, severe shortness of breath, or fainting spells.
If you have a known heart murmur, schedule an appointment with your healthcare provider if you notice new or worsening symptoms. Changes in how you feel could indicate that your murmur needs closer attention or that something else is developing.
For children with heart murmurs, regular check-ups are important to monitor whether the murmur changes over time. Most innocent murmurs in children don't require special treatment, but your pediatrician will want to keep track of them as your child grows.
Additionally, if you're planning to become pregnant and have a known heart murmur, it's wise to discuss this with your doctor beforehand. Pregnancy increases the workload on your heart, and some heart conditions require monitoring during pregnancy.
Several factors can increase your likelihood of developing a heart murmur, though many people with risk factors never develop murmurs at all.
Some risk factors are present from birth or related to your family history:
Other risk factors develop throughout life based on your health conditions and lifestyle:
Having risk factors doesn't mean you'll definitely develop a heart murmur, and many murmurs occur in people without any risk factors. The important thing is maintaining good overall heart health through regular check-ups and healthy lifestyle choices.
Innocent heart murmurs don't cause complications because they don't indicate any underlying heart problems. You can live a completely normal, active life with an innocent murmur.
However, abnormal heart murmurs that stem from structural heart problems can lead to complications if left untreated. The specific complications depend on what's causing your murmur:
The good news is that most heart conditions causing abnormal murmurs can be effectively managed with proper medical care. Early detection and treatment significantly reduce the risk of complications.
Some rare complications can occur with specific congenital heart defects, such as Eisenmenger syndrome, where abnormal blood flow patterns develop over time. These complex conditions require specialized cardiac care from birth.
You can't prevent innocent heart murmurs because they're a normal variation in how blood flows through your heart. Many congenital heart defects that cause abnormal murmurs also can't be prevented since they develop during fetal development.
However, you can take steps to reduce your risk of acquired heart conditions that might lead to abnormal murmurs later in life:
For pregnant women, taking prenatal vitamins, avoiding alcohol and smoking, and getting proper prenatal care can help support healthy heart development in their babies.
If you have certain heart conditions, your doctor might recommend antibiotics before dental procedures or surgeries to prevent heart infections. This is called antibiotic prophylaxis and is only needed for specific high-risk situations.
Heart murmurs are typically first detected when your doctor listens to your heart with a stethoscope during a routine examination. They can hear the extra sound between your normal heartbeats.
Your doctor will note several characteristics of your murmur, including when it occurs during your heartbeat, how loud it is, and where it's heard best on your chest. This information helps them determine whether your murmur is likely innocent or needs further investigation.
If your doctor suspects an abnormal murmur, they may recommend additional tests to get a clearer picture of your heart's structure and function:
Most people with heart murmurs only need an echocardiogram to confirm whether their murmur is innocent or abnormal. This test is completely painless and provides detailed information about your heart's structure and how well it's working.
In some cases, your doctor might refer you to a cardiologist, a heart specialist, for further evaluation. This doesn't necessarily mean there's a serious problem, but rather ensures you get the most expert assessment possible.
Innocent heart murmurs don't require any treatment because they don't indicate a heart problem. Your doctor will simply monitor your murmur during regular check-ups to ensure it remains harmless.
For abnormal heart murmurs, treatment depends entirely on the underlying heart condition causing the murmur. Your doctor will focus on treating the root cause rather than the murmur itself.
Common treatment approaches for conditions causing abnormal murmurs include:
Many people with abnormal murmurs can be successfully treated with medications alone. Others might need surgical procedures, but modern heart surgery has excellent success rates and can dramatically improve quality of life.
In rare cases of complex congenital heart defects, treatment might involve multiple surgeries over time or specialized procedures performed by pediatric heart surgeons. These situations require care from specialized medical teams experienced in treating complex heart conditions.
If you have an innocent heart murmur, you can live normally without any special precautions. Continue with your regular activities, exercise as you normally would, and maintain a healthy lifestyle.
For abnormal heart murmurs, your home care will depend on your specific heart condition. Here are general guidelines that apply to most people with heart murmurs:
Pay attention to how you feel during daily activities. If you notice increased shortness of breath, chest pain, or unusual fatigue, contact your doctor promptly rather than waiting for your next scheduled appointment.
Some people with certain heart conditions need to take antibiotics before dental procedures or surgeries. If this applies to you, make sure all your healthcare providers know about your heart condition and antibiotic requirements.
Before your appointment, write down any symptoms you've been experiencing, even if they seem unrelated to your heart. Include when they occur, how long they last, and what makes them better or worse.
Bring a complete list of all medications you're taking, including over-the-counter drugs, supplements, and herbal remedies. Some medications can affect your heart or interact with heart medications.
Prepare a list of questions you want to ask your doctor. Here are some important ones to consider:
If you have a family history of heart problems, bring information about your relatives' heart conditions. This can help your doctor better understand your risk factors and determine the best approach for your care.
Consider bringing a trusted friend or family member to your appointment, especially if you're feeling anxious about your heart murmur. They can help you remember important information and provide emotional support.
The most important thing to remember is that most heart murmurs are completely harmless. Many people live their entire lives with innocent heart murmurs without ever experiencing any problems or needing treatment.
Even if your heart murmur indicates an underlying heart condition, modern medicine offers excellent treatments that can help you maintain a good quality of life. The key is working with your healthcare team to monitor your condition and follow their recommendations.
Don't let anxiety about your heart murmur prevent you from living fully. With proper medical care and a heart-healthy lifestyle, most people with heart murmurs can participate in all the activities they enjoy.
Remember that having a heart murmur doesn't define you or limit your potential. Stay informed about your condition, maintain open communication with your healthcare providers, and focus on taking good care of your overall health.
Q1:Can heart murmurs go away on their own?
Yes, many innocent heart murmurs can come and go throughout your life. Children often outgrow their heart murmurs as they get older. However, murmurs caused by structural heart problems typically don't disappear without treatment of the underlying condition.
Q2:Can I exercise if I have a heart murmur?
Most people with innocent heart murmurs can exercise normally without any restrictions. If you have an abnormal heart murmur, your doctor will provide specific guidance about safe exercise levels based on your underlying heart condition. Many people with heart conditions can still enjoy regular physical activity with appropriate modifications.
Q3:Are heart murmurs hereditary?
Innocent heart murmurs aren't typically inherited, but some congenital heart defects that cause abnormal murmurs can run in families. If you have a family history of heart problems, it's important to discuss this with your doctor so they can assess your risk and recommend appropriate monitoring.
Q4:Do heart murmurs get worse with age?
Innocent heart murmurs don't worsen over time because they don't indicate any underlying heart problem. However, if you have an abnormal murmur caused by a heart condition, the underlying condition might progress with age. Regular monitoring helps detect any changes early so treatment can be adjusted if needed.
Q5:Can pregnancy affect my heart murmur?
Pregnancy can make innocent heart murmurs more noticeable because your heart pumps more blood during pregnancy. This is usually not a concern. However, if you have an abnormal heart murmur, you'll need closer monitoring during pregnancy to ensure both you and your baby stay healthy. Most women with heart murmurs have successful pregnancies with appropriate medical care.