A heart murmur represents just an additional, sometimes an atypical sound from a human heartbeat. When the physician finds such an unusual sound via a stethoscope, it's natural for you as a patient to feel some concern. It's key to remember however that the majority aren't associated with heart disease, are completely harmless and actually quite uncommon. Murmurs don't produce symptoms by themselves, and you could live with one for decades without it causing a problem.
Murmurs are heard very often in otherwise healthy children. Though terms like 'congenital defect' or 'abnormality' sounds very worrying, it's not at all uncommon or something to worry about. When the murmur emerges suddenly in an adult as new pathology, however, for example, a brand new symptom, there could be an underlying reason that needs investigating.
It's vital to understand what creates these sounds. A normal beat has two separate noises, audible only through a stethoscope, sometimes described as a 'lub dub'. This sound is made by two valves closing like doors one after the other, as blood is pumped inside the organ. When murmurs occur, there may be an extra sound. When your blood doesn't flow smoothly through your valves, a physician will pick up sounds of turbulence.
This could be, but is not always, due to valve disease. The valves can be affected by several things, including infection, simple aging and certain diseases. It's vital to keep in mind that on its own, this is NOT a disease. It can however be caused by one.
Innocent or functional murmurs don't require medical treatment and are completely harmless and asymptomatic. There's no need to alter your diet or cut back on your physical activity. Though of course a good diet and plenty of exercise will stand you in good stead to prevent any disease occurring. So will avoiding stress, so really do not panic if your physician has detected anything.
The treatment if this suddenly occurs, when you've been having regular listening in to your heart, is dependent on any underlying causes. Relatively straightforward conditions that can be resolved easily and do create the condition include Anemia, high fevers, hyperthyroidism and yes - pregnancy. Though the latter can only be resolved in nine months.
Diseases of this organ which will require treatment quickly and possibly surgery include Endocarditis, a hole in the heart, Valve Stenosis, Sclerosis or regurgitation. These last three are all abnormalities of the organ valve. You'll usually be unaware of such a problem yourself, but keep an eye on your general health and always seek advice for chest pain and shortness of breath. These won't be caused by a murmur at all, but could be serious symptoms of other diseases.
Infections may damage those valves, including strep throat and the extremely rare rheumatic fever. Strong antibiotics are usually prescribed. Children with major structural defects or hole in the organ typically have surgery to repair these conditions as babies, and carry on to live normal, healthy lives. The concluding message is that the vast majority of patients with a heart murmur have nothing to worry about, and require no medical treatment.
Murmurs are heard very often in otherwise healthy children. Though terms like 'congenital defect' or 'abnormality' sounds very worrying, it's not at all uncommon or something to worry about. When the murmur emerges suddenly in an adult as new pathology, however, for example, a brand new symptom, there could be an underlying reason that needs investigating.
It's vital to understand what creates these sounds. A normal beat has two separate noises, audible only through a stethoscope, sometimes described as a 'lub dub'. This sound is made by two valves closing like doors one after the other, as blood is pumped inside the organ. When murmurs occur, there may be an extra sound. When your blood doesn't flow smoothly through your valves, a physician will pick up sounds of turbulence.
This could be, but is not always, due to valve disease. The valves can be affected by several things, including infection, simple aging and certain diseases. It's vital to keep in mind that on its own, this is NOT a disease. It can however be caused by one.
Innocent or functional murmurs don't require medical treatment and are completely harmless and asymptomatic. There's no need to alter your diet or cut back on your physical activity. Though of course a good diet and plenty of exercise will stand you in good stead to prevent any disease occurring. So will avoiding stress, so really do not panic if your physician has detected anything.
The treatment if this suddenly occurs, when you've been having regular listening in to your heart, is dependent on any underlying causes. Relatively straightforward conditions that can be resolved easily and do create the condition include Anemia, high fevers, hyperthyroidism and yes - pregnancy. Though the latter can only be resolved in nine months.
Diseases of this organ which will require treatment quickly and possibly surgery include Endocarditis, a hole in the heart, Valve Stenosis, Sclerosis or regurgitation. These last three are all abnormalities of the organ valve. You'll usually be unaware of such a problem yourself, but keep an eye on your general health and always seek advice for chest pain and shortness of breath. These won't be caused by a murmur at all, but could be serious symptoms of other diseases.
Infections may damage those valves, including strep throat and the extremely rare rheumatic fever. Strong antibiotics are usually prescribed. Children with major structural defects or hole in the organ typically have surgery to repair these conditions as babies, and carry on to live normal, healthy lives. The concluding message is that the vast majority of patients with a heart murmur have nothing to worry about, and require no medical treatment.
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Get more information about the importance of knowing the signs and symptoms of a heart murmur by visiting our www.heartmurmurinfo.com. You can find details about enlarged hearts and the steps you can take to keep your heart healthy today!
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