Heart Murmurs: Causes And Forms Of Treatment

As blood moves through your heart’s four chambers (i.e. atria and ventricles), it passes through one-way valves. As it does, the closing of those valves creates the sound of a heartbeat. A heart murmur (HM) is a “swooshing” noise that can be heard through a stethoscope.

Not all murmurs are dangerous; indeed, many healthy children have them without showing symptoms. However, in adults, an HM can potentially cause severe problems. In this article, we’ll describe the differences between innocent and abnormal murmurs, and explain how the latter is treated.

Innocent Versus Abnormal Murmurs

Innocent HMs are harmless. They can be triggered by a number of contributing factors, such as strenuous activity, hyperthyroidism, and anemia. Their intensity can rise or decline with the rate of blood flow through your heart. For example, it is not uncommon for pregnant women to experience innocent murmurs as the result of increased production of blood.

An abnormal heart murmur (AHM) is not necessarily dangerous, but implies a risk of health problems down the road. In children, it is often the result of congenital heart defects. These can include defects with the septum (i.e. inner wall separating the left and right sides), valves, or arteries. In such cases, the AHM itself is relatively benign; it merely suggests other potentially dangerous problems.

For example, a regurgitant mitral valve can allow blood to flow backward from the left ventricle into the left atrium. That can cause blood to pool and clot within the upper-left chamber. Another example is a hole in the septal wall between the atria. This allows oxygen-poor blood from the right atrium to mix with oxygenated blood from the left atrium.

Abnormal heart murmurs caused by valve problems, congenital defects, or age can produce side effects that are debilitating. You might experience a shortness of breath, mild dizziness, and chronic fatigue. In severe cases, you might feel recurring chest pain.

Treating The Noise’s Root Cause

Innocent HMs do not require treatment. Children who have them are typically healthy and their heart’s function is normal. That said, you should inform your child’s doctor of the murmur during routine appointments. Pregnant women who have them likewise do not need treatment. Moreover, if you have an innocent HM as the result of another condition (e.g. hyperthyroidism), it will likely recede or vanish once the root condition has been addressed.

Abnormal heart murmurs are treated according to the underlying defect that is producing the noise. For example, mitral valve repair can resolve a murmur triggered by a regurgitant or stenotic mitral valve. Similarly, catheter treatment for atrial septal defect (ASD) can eliminate AHMs caused by that condition.

Ultimately, most HMs are harmless. They are rarely symptomatic and have little to no impact on your quality of life. On the other hand, abnormal HMs can vary in severity depending on the underlying root cause. If you experience uncharacteristic dizziness, chest pain, fatigue, or shortness of breath, inform your doctor. He or she can recommend a treatment path – whether it involves medications or surgery – that is suitable for your situation.

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