What is Heart Murmur
Heart murmurs are abnormal sounds occurring during the regular heartbeat cycle, characterized by whooshing or swishing noises. They result from turbulent blood flow in or near the heart and are audible with the aid of a stethoscope. In a normal heartbeat, two distinct sounds, often described as “lub-DUP,” are produced, representing the closure of heart valves. Heart murmurs can be present from birth or develop later in life. While not a disease in itself, a heart murmur can signal an underlying heart condition.
What Symptoms Do Heart Murmurs Present
When an individual experiences a benign heart murmur, commonly referred to as innocent heart murmur, there are typically no accompanying signs or symptoms. Conversely, an abnormal heart murmur may not manifest any apparent signs apart from the atypical sounds detected by a doctor using a stethoscope. Nevertheless, if observable signs or symptoms do emerge, they may indicate an underlying heart issue.
- Skin that appears blue, especially on the fingertips and lips
- Swelling or abrupt weight gain
- Breathlessness
- Chronic cough
- Enlarged liver
- Enlarged veins in the neck
- Loss of appetite and failure to grow normally
- Heavy sweating with minimum or no exertion
- Pain in chest
- Dizziness
- Fainting
Heart Murmur Prognosis
Individuals with innocent heart murmurs generally have a favorable prognosis, as they typically have a healthy heart and do not require lifestyle or dietary modifications. However, for those with abnormal heart murmurs, the outlook hinges on the type and severity of the underlying condition responsible for the murmur.