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Heart Murmurs

Heart murmurs are sounds produced by fast, turbulent blood flow through the heart. These sounds can be heard using a stethoscope. Normally, the heart makes two sounds, often described as “lubb-dupp,” when the heart valves close.

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What is a heart murmur?

A heart murmur is an abnormal sound -- such as a whooshing or swishing -- that is caused by blood moving in or around your heart during your heartbeat cycle. Heart murmurs can be congenital, meaning that they are present at birth, or they can develop later in life.

What are the types of heart murmurs?

There are two types of heart murmurs. Innocent heart murmurs are harmless and do not require treatment. They usually occur when blood flows through your heart more rapidly than normal and can be caused by:

  • Physical activity.
  • Pregnancy.
  • Fever.
  • Anemia, or a shortage of red blood cells.
  • Rapid physical growth, such as during adolescence.

Some abnormal heart murmurs are caused by congenital conditions, but other abnormal heart murmurs can develop later in life. No matter when it develops, an abnormal heart murmur requires follow-up testing and can sometimes indicate underlying heart problems, including:

  • Holes in the heart.
  • Cardiac shunts, which cause abnormal blood flow between blood vessels and chambers of the heart.
  • Heart valve abnormalities.
  • Valve calcification, which occurs when heart valves harden or thicken.
  • Endocarditis, which is an infection of the inner lining of the heart valves.
  • Complications from rheumatic fever, which is a rare condition that can occur when strep throat is untreated.

What are heart murmur risk factors and complications?

You are more likely to develop a heart murmur if you have a family history of heart defects or certain medical conditions, including high blood pressure, endocarditis, rheumatoid arthritis, a previous or current case of rheumatic fever, or high blood pressure in the lungs (pulmonary hypertension).

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What Are The Signs And Symptoms Of A Heart Murmur?

A heart murmur is usually detected when your doctor listens to your heartbeat with a stethoscope. Other than what your doctor can hear, which is usually a whooshing or swishing sound, heart murmurs typically don't cause obvious symptoms.

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How Do You Diagnose A Heart Murmur?

The following diagnostic tests are used to diagnose a heart murmur:

Some types of heart murmurs are harmless and do not require treatment. However, if your heart murmur requires further care, we offer surgical and nonsurgical treatment options.

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How Do You Treat A Heart Murmur?

Nonsurgical treatment options

  • Active monitoring of your heart murmur over a period of time
  • Medication to treat cardiovascular conditions such as high blood pressure or high cholesterol

If your heart murmur is caused by a damaged or leaky heart valve, you may need to have surgery. The specialists in our Structural Heart Program perform advanced valve repair or replacement procedures using the latest minimally invasive techniques.

Surgery for heart murmurs

Surgical Valve Repair and Replacement Procedures:

By UPMC Editorial Staff. Last reviewed on 2024-10-01.