Heart murmurs are abnormal sounds that occur during the heartbeat cycle, often described as whooshing, swishing, or buzzing. These sounds are caused by turbulent blood flow through the heart's valves or chambers. While many heart murmurs are innocent and pose no threat to health, some may be a sign of an underlying heart condition, such as valve problems or congenital heart defects. The intensity, timing, and duration of the murmur can vary, and a thorough evaluation is essential to determine its cause and significance. Understanding whether a murmur is harmless or a warning sign can guide appropriate treatment and ensure optimal heart health.

Symptoms of Heart Murmur
Causes of Heart Murmur
Treatment Options for Heart Murmur
Myths and Facts About Heart Murmur
Did You Know?
Conclusion
When to Consult a Doctor
Frequently Asked Questions

Symptoms of Heart Murmur

Heart murmurs that are harmless (innocent) typically don't create further symptoms. The cause of a concerning heart murmur determines the symptoms. Symptoms of a heart murmur might include:

Grey or blue lips or fingernails
Chest ache
An ongoing cough
Light-headedness
Liver enlargement
Veins swollen in the neck
Profuse perspiration accompanied by little to no activity
Low appetite and stunted development in new-borns
Breathing difficulty
Edema or unexpected weight increase

Causes of Heart Murmur

Blood flow abnormalities or turbulent conditions across your heart valves can cause murmurs. An innocent heart murmur, also known as a normal or physiologic murmur, is a common type of murmur that occurs during childhood, exercise, growth spurts, pregnancy, and the first few days after newborn.

Causes of Heart Murmur

A cardiac disease or other issue can cause certain heart murmurs, such as:

Anaemia: Because anaemia affects blood viscosity or thickness, a low red blood cell count might result in a murmur. Weakness and exhaustion, or excessive tiredness, are further indicators of anaemia.
Carcinoid Heart Disease: Excess hormones can produce a slow-growing tumour (cancer) called carcinoid syndrome or carcinoid heart disease, which can impact your heart. Unaccounted-for weight loss, diarrhoea, abdominal discomfort, and low blood pressure are among the symptoms that a person with carcinoid syndrome may have.
Congenital Cardiac Defect: A structural issue with your heart could have existed from birth. Tetralogy of Fallot and septal abnormalities (holes in the heart) are two examples of congenital heart defects.
Endocarditis: Your heart valves are attacked by germs or bacteria that enter your circulation. Additional symptoms such as fever, chills, rash, or sore throat are typically seen.
Heart Valve Disease: Heart valve disease is characterised by malfunctioning heart valves, which impair proper blood flow via one or more of the valves. One such example of a stiff valve is valve stenosis. It might not fully open or shut. Alternatively, it can permit a reversible blood flow (valve regurgitation).

Mitral Valve Disease

Hyperthyroidism: Overactive thyroid disease, or hyperthyroidism, is characterised by an excess of thyroid hormone produced by the gland. Anxiety, heightened hunger, a fast pulse, and weight loss are further symptoms of this illness.
Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy: The heart muscle thickening, stiffening, or expanding due to hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is one kind of cardiac disease. Both genetics and ageing or high blood pressure might cause it to develop. Heart palpitations, exhaustion, breathlessness, and syncope (fainting) are possible additional symptoms.

Treatment Options for Heart Murmur

Treatment is typically not necessary for benign cardiac murmurs. If a fever or hyperthyroidism brings on a murmur, it typically fades away when the disease is addressed.

The reason for a heart murmur determines the course of treatment. A healthcare professional has to keep a careful eye on a concerning heart murmur. It can be necessary to have surgery or take medication.

Medications- Heart disorders linked to murmurs may be treated with the following medications:

Blood thinners
Water pills
Inhibitors of the ace enzyme angiotensin-converting enzyme
Inhibitors of beta receptors

Percutaneous options- In inoperable patients who are at a high risk for open heart surgeries, we have options of placing valves without having to cut open the chest. Overall procedural morbidity is very low in well selected patients with very low turn around times and excellent outcomes. These therapies are available today for all 4 valves of the heart.

Surgery- When anything produces a concerning heart murmur, surgery can be required to fix it. If the murmur and additional symptoms are brought on by a constricted or leaky heart valve, heart valve replacement or repair may be necessary.

An operating surgeon on a heart valve may:

Close up any gaps in a valve
Divide the fused valve leaflets.
The wires supporting the valve should be replaced.
To ensure that the valve closes firmly, remove any extra tissue around it.
.Make sure the ring surrounding a valve is tight or sturdy.

Myths and Facts About Heart Murmur

Myth 1: If You Have a Heart Murmur, You Should Avoid Exercise
Fact: Most people with an innocent heart murmur can lead an active lifestyle without restrictions. In cases where the murmur is linked to an underlying heart condition, a doctor will provide specific guidance on safe physical activities.

Myth 2: You Can Always Feel a Heart Murmur
Fact: Heart murmurs do not cause symptoms in most cases. They are detected by a doctor using a stethoscope during a routine check-up. However, if a murmur is associated with a heart condition, symptoms like shortness of breath, chest pain, or fatigue may occur.

Myth 3: Heart Murmurs Are Caused by Stress or Anxiety
Fact: While stress and anxiety can raise heart rate and blood pressure, they do not cause heart murmurs. Murmurs result from turbulent blood flow through the heart, which may be due to congenital conditions, valve problems, or other cardiovascular factors.

Did You Know?

Some heart murmurs are so faint that even a trained doctor might not detect them during a routine check-up. Advanced imaging tests, like echocardiograms, sometimes reveal these "hidden" murmurs, which may go unnoticed for years!
The intensity of a heart murmur can change based on your body position. Some murmurs become louder when you stand up, while others are more noticeable when lying down, helping doctors distinguish between harmless and concerning murmurs.

Conclusion

Most heart murmurs are harmless and require no treatment. However, if you have concerns, a visit to your healthcare provider can provide clarity and peace of mind. Your doctor can determine whether further evaluation is needed and guide you on the next steps. Prioritising your heart health ensures you stay active and worry-free.

So, don’t ignore the signs—stay informed, stay proactive, and let your heartbeat with confidence!

When to Consult a Doctor

You can also get in touch with the expert cardiology doctors at Narayana Healthcare based in your city to get immediate attention and medical support during injuries, health disorders or any other health concern.

Table of Contents

Symptoms of Heart Murmur

Causes of Heart Murmur

Treatment Options for Heart Murmur

Myths and Facts About Heart Murmur

Did You Know?

Conclusion

When to Consult a Doctor