When to see a doctor. Most heart murmurs aren't serious, but if you think you or your child has a heart murmur, make an appointment to see your family doctor. Your doctor can tell you if the heart murmur is innocent and doesn't require any further treatment or if an underlying heart problem needs to be further examined ...
When should you go to the ER for a heart murmur?
Whenever you experience chest pain or sudden severe shortness of breath, you should go to the emergency room. If you have more subtle symptoms, then you can make an appointment with your primary care physician. You doctor will listen to your heart and do a thorough exam and history.
What percentage of heart murmurs are serious?
If you have been told you have a heart murmur, it is more than likely an innocent murmur, or completely harmless. “About 10 percent of adults and 30 percent of children (most between the ages of 3 and 7) have a harmless murmur,” says Dr. Agrawal. “The key is to find the harmful murmurs.
Can a slight heart murmur get worse?
Likewise, murmurs can get worse if a condition goes untreated or becomes more serious. Your heart is unique, and some heart murmurs can change over time. Because of this, it is important for your doctor to listen to your heart every time you go in for a physical exam.
What do heart murmurs feel like?
It's important to know what a heart murmur is and what it feels like. A typical heart murmur sounds like a whooshing noise. According to the American Heart Association, it usually feels like a very subtle extra pulse. Heart murmurs are common, especially among young children.
23 related questions foundAre heart murmurs serious?
One of the most common “abnormal” behaviors is the heart murmur. A heart murmur is a sound often characterized as a “whooshing” or rushing of fluid that can be heard between heartbeats. However, as frightening as this may seem, a heart murmur is not always a bad thing and in many cases is completely normal.
Is heart murmur painful?
Generally, a heart murmur does not cause symptoms. It is the underlying heart function issues that often cause people to seek medical help. Chest pain and shortness of breath should always be taken seriously and not ignored.
Can a heart murmur cause fatigue?
People with an abnormal heart murmur may have symptoms of the problem causing the murmur. Symptoms can include: Feeling weak or tired. Shortness of breath, especially with exercise.
How long can you live with a heart murmur?
If you or your child has an innocent heart murmur, you can live a completely normal life. It will not cause you any problems and is not a sign of an issue with your heart. If you have a murmur along with any of the following symptoms, see your doctor: You are very tired.
Can a heart murmur cause a stroke?
Abnormal heart murmurs themselves don't cause complications, but underlying conditions may cause serious complications such as heart attack or stroke, heart failure, poor growth (in infants and children) and other serious issues.
Is a heart murmur a death sentence?
In summary, diagnosis of a heart murmur in your pet, young or old, can be scary. It is in no way a death sentence for most pets. Take a deep breath, then discuss your pet's history, symptoms, risks, lifestyle and your concerns with your veterinarian.
Does a heart murmur shorten your life?
Innocent heart murmurs may disappear over time, or they may last your entire life without ever causing further health problems.
What is the most common cause of a heart murmur?
A heart murmur is an extra noise heard during a heartbeat. The noise is caused when blood does not flow smoothly through the heart. Heart murmurs can be innocent (harmless) or abnormal (caused by a heart problem). Some causes are fever, anemia, or heart valve disease.
Will a heart murmur show up on an ECG?
It can reveal if your heart is enlarged, which may mean an underlying condition is causing your heart murmur. Electrocardiogram (ECG). In this noninvasive test, a technician will place probes on your chest that record the electrical impulses that make your heart beat.
Can an innocent heart murmur get worse?
Most innocent murmurs disappear when a child reaches adulthood, but some adults still have them. When a child's heart rate changes, such as during exercise, excitement or fear, the innocent murmur may become louder or softer.
What happens if a heart murmur goes untreated?
If they narrow, which doctors call stenosis, your heart has to work harder to pump blood to the rest of your body. If left untreated, it can wear out your heart and lead to heart failure. You might be born with this. It can also happen as part of aging, or because of scarring from infections such as rheumatic fever.
Can stress cause heart murmurs?
Stress and anxiety can cause a heart murmur that's considered a physiologic heart murmur. However, it's more likely that a heart murmur would be caused by an underlying heart condition, anemia, or hyperthyroidism.
Can a heart murmur cause dizziness?
However, if the heart murmur is abnormal you may notice associated symptoms, including: Shortness of breath (this may be with heavy exercise, mild exercise or at rest, depending on severity) Feeling light-headed or dizzy.
Can losing weight help a heart murmur?
Depending upon the cause of your heart murmur, your doctor may suggest one or more of the following lifestyle changes: exercising, reducing salt intake, limiting alcohol, quitting smoking or losing weight.
Can dehydration cause heart murmur?
Anemia can cause murmurs. Dehydration can. Illness in general can. Fevers are a common cause of murmurs.
What causes heart murmur in older adults?
Older adults: Abnormal murmurs are most common among adults over the age of 60. They can be caused by a heart valve problem, such as prolapse, stenosis, or regurgitation.
What happens if my echocardiogram is abnormal?
An abnormal echocardiogram can mean many things. Some abnormalities are very minor and do not pose major risks. Other abnormalities are signs of serious heart disease. You will need more tests by a specialist in this case.
What does an echocardiogram reveal?
An echocardiogram can show problems with the heart chambers, abnormal connections between the heart and major blood vessels, and complex heart defects that are present at birth.
What should I avoid with a heart murmur?
Eat heart-healthy foods such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, fish, lean meats, and low-fat or non-fat dairy foods. Limit sodium, sugars, and alcohol. If your doctor recommends it, get more exercise.
Should you see a cardiologist for a heart murmur?
Whether your heart murmur is harmless or not, you can benefit from seeing a cardiologist that will put your heart health first and ensure that it continues pumping properly for years to come.
