Heart Murmur

A heart murmur is a sound your heart makes when it has rapidly gushing blood flowing through it. The sound is produced when the blood flows through an abnormal heart valve.

Your physician may identify a murmur while listening to your heartbeat through a stethoscope. This is because a heart murmur sounds different from the usual sound of your heartbeat.

Not all heart murmurs are caused by heart problems or need treatment. However, some heart murmurs may be caused due to a damaged heart valve and require a closer look. Treatment in such cases can involve medication, surgery, and lifestyle changes.

The heart has four chambers: two upper chambers (left and right atria) and two lower chambers (left and right ventricles). Every heartbeat is a two-part pumping action that pushes blood from the atria to the ventricles and the rest of the body. 

The blood flowing through the four chambers is regulated by valves that control the amount of blood entering each chamber. As blood collects in the atria (upper chamber), the electrical signals in the heart cause both the right and left atria to contract. This action pushes the blood to the ventricles through the tricuspid and mitral valves. This part of the pumping action is called diastole.

Once the ventricles are full of blood, the tricuspid and mitral valves shut tight (to prevent black flow), and the heart's electrical signals cause the lower chambers to contract. This contraction is called systole. 

The pulmonary and aortic valves open, and the blood is pushed from the right ventricle into the lungs to pick up oxygen. The oxygen-rich blood then flows through the left atrium to the left ventricle to the heart and other parts of the body.

Once the blood has moved into the aorta and the pulmonary artery, the cycle begins again. This process occurs with every single beat of the heart. 

Healthy valves ensure that blood doesn’t back up in the wrong chamber or travel in the wrong direction. In the case of a heart murmur, an extra ‘whooshing’ sound is heard in the heartbeat caused by turbulent blood flow through the heart valves.

A heart murmur may be caused due to a defective heart valve.

Mitral Valve Prolapse - If the mitral valve does not close properly, it can cause the blood to flow back through the valve. This condition is called a mitral valve prolapse. It adds a ticking sound to your heartbeat and can be heard by your physician during a physical examination.

Mitral or Aortic Valve Stenosis – If the heart valves become narrow (stenosis), they limit the heart’s ability to pump enough blood to the body with each cycle. If left untreated, this condition can weaken the heart and result in heart failure. This condition might be congenital or may develop with age.

Aortic Sclerosis and Stenosis – Aortic sclerosis is when the aortic valve becomes scarred, thick, or stiff. Stenosis is when the valve becomes narrow due to heart disease or aging.

Mitral or Aortic Regurgitation – Regurgitation refers to any blood that flows in the wrong direction in your heart. If this occurs, the heart works harder to push all the blood through the damaged valve, causing the heart to weaken over time.

Congenital Heart Defects – Babies may be born with a heart murmur. Studies have shown that 42% of babies who have a heart murmur also have a structural defect in their hearts. Surgery is necessary to correct these conditions and ensure a long and healthy life.

A heart murmur can also be caused due to:

• Pregnancy
• Anemia
• High blood pressure
• Thyroid problems
• High fever

Usually, your doctor can hear a heart murmur during a physical exam. It may be followed by an electrocardiogram (EKG), echocardiography, or chest x-ray to determine the cause of the heart murmur.

If the heart murmur is harmless, no treatment is necessary. However, if the heart murmur is caused by heart disease, you will likely be prescribed medication (to prevent blood clots or lower blood pressure). Surgery may be necessary to fix congenital issues and certain types of heart valve problems.

If your physician has identified a heart murmur for you or anyone in your family, please schedule a cardiology consultation with Dr. Lilian Ahiable to correctly diagnose the cause of the heart murmur.

At Sydnor Cardiovascular Center, we provide expert care for people with all types of cardiac concerns. Entrust your heart health with Dr. Ahiable and our team at Sydnor Cardiovascular Center.

To schedule an appointment, call us at 727-300-2282 or request an appointment online.