Hearing that you have a heart murmur during a medical examination can be concerning. However, not all heart murmurs indicate a serious heart condition. Many are harmless and do not require treatment, while others may be associated with heart valve disease, congenital heart defects, or cardiovascular conditions that require specialized evaluation and care.

Understanding what a heart murmur is, its causes, and when it may require medical attention can help protect your heart health and prevent potential complications.

A heart murmur is an abnormal sound heard during a heartbeat when a healthcare provider listens to the heart with a stethoscope.

This sound occurs when blood flows turbulently through the heart chambers, heart valves, or nearby blood vessels.

Heart murmurs can be present at birth (congenital heart murmurs) or develop later in life (acquired heart murmurs).

Some murmurs are completely harmless and are known as innocent or functional heart murmurs, while others may indicate an underlying cardiovascular condition that requires evaluation by a cardiologist.

Not necessarily.

Many children, adolescents, and adults have innocent heart murmurs that do not affect heart function and do not require treatment.

However, some heart murmurs may be associated with:

• Heart valve disease
• Congenital heart disease
• Heart failure
• Heart infections
• Cardiomyopathy
• Pulmonary hypertension

For this reason, a comprehensive cardiac evaluation is essential to determine the cause of the murmur.

Many heart murmurs do not cause symptoms and are discovered during a routine physical examination.

When a heart murmur is related to an underlying heart condition, symptoms may include:

• Fatigue
• Shortness of breath
• Chest pain or pressure
• Heart palpitations
• Dizziness
• Fainting
• Low energy levels
• Reduced exercise tolerance

Additional signs that may indicate a more serious heart condition include:

• Bluish or grayish discoloration of the lips or fingernails
• Persistent cough
• Swelling in the legs, ankles, or abdomen
• Enlarged neck veins
• Excessive sweating
• Rapid weight gain due to fluid retention

In infants and young children, symptoms may include:

• Difficulty feeding
• Poor growth
• Fatigue during feeding
• Rapid breathing

Heart murmurs are classified according to when they occur during the cardiac cycle.

This is the most common type of heart murmur.

It occurs when the heart contracts and may be associated with:

• Heart valve stenosis
• Valve regurgitation
• Cardiomyopathy
• Congenital heart defects

A diastolic murmur occurs when the heart relaxes between beats.

It is often associated with:

• Mitral stenosis
• Tricuspid stenosis
• Aortic regurgitation
• Pulmonary regurgitation

A continuous murmur is heard throughout the cardiac cycle and is commonly associated with specific abnormalities in blood flow or congenital heart defects.

The causes vary depending on whether the murmur is innocent or associated with heart disease.

These murmurs may occur temporarily due to:

• Fever
• Pregnancy
• Exercise
• Anemia
• Hyperthyroidism

In these situations, the heart itself is structurally normal.

Common causes include:

• Aortic stenosis
• Mitral stenosis
• Mitral regurgitation
• Aortic regurgitation

Structural abnormalities present at birth that alter normal blood flow through the heart.

An infection affecting the inner lining of the heart and heart valves.

Diseases that affect the heart muscle and its ability to pump blood effectively.

Elevated blood pressure within the pulmonary arteries.

Conditions such as lupus and rheumatoid arthritis may affect the heart valves and cardiovascular system.

Several factors can increase the likelihood of developing a heart murmur associated with cardiovascular disease.

These include:

• Family history of heart disease
• Congenital heart defects
• Heart valve disorders
• Rheumatic fever
• Pulmonary hypertension
• Connective tissue disorders
• Marfan syndrome
• Previous endocarditis
• Cardiomyopathy
• Hyperthyroidism

Diagnosis begins with a physical examination performed by a Cardiologist.

During the evaluation, the physician listens to the heart using a stethoscope and assesses specific characteristics of the murmur.

Depending on the findings, additional diagnostic tests may be recommended.

An echocardiogram is the most important test for evaluating heart murmurs.

It provides detailed information about:

• Heart valves
• Heart chambers
• Blood flow patterns
• Congenital heart defects

An ECG records the electrical activity of the heart and can help identify arrhythmias and other cardiac abnormalities.

A chest X-ray allows physicians to evaluate the size of the heart and assess the condition of the lungs.

In selected cases, cardiac catheterization may be used to evaluate structural abnormalities and measure pressures within the heart.

Treatment depends entirely on the underlying cause of the murmur.

In most cases, innocent heart murmurs do not require treatment.

Periodic follow-up may be recommended.

When a heart murmur is caused by an underlying cardiovascular condition, medications may be prescribed to:

• Control blood pressure
• Treat heart failure
• Manage arrhythmias
• Reduce cardiovascular symptoms

Certain valve disorders may require:

• Heart valve repair
• Heart valve replacement
• Catheter-based cardiac interventions

In some cases, surgery is the most effective option to restore normal heart function and prevent complications.

Not all heart murmurs can be prevented, particularly those related to congenital heart disease.

However, maintaining good cardiovascular health may help reduce the risk of conditions associated with abnormal heart murmurs.

Recommended preventive measures include:

• Controlling blood pressure
• Exercising regularly
• Following a heart-healthy diet
• Managing cholesterol and diabetes
• Avoiding tobacco use
• Treating infections promptly
• Scheduling routine cardiac evaluations

You should seek medical evaluation if you experience:

• Shortness of breath
• Chest pain
• Frequent heart palpitations
• Dizziness or fainting
• Persistent fatigue
• Swelling in the legs or abdomen
• A heart murmur detected during a medical examination

Early evaluation can help identify heart disease before serious complications develop.

A heart murmur may be completely harmless or the first sign of an underlying cardiovascular condition that requires treatment.

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At BlueNetHospitals, our cardiology specialists provide advanced cardiac evaluations, echocardiography, cardiovascular imaging, and comprehensive care for heart murmurs, heart valve disease, congenital heart defects, and other cardiovascular conditions.

A heart murmur is an abnormal sound heard during a heartbeat when blood flows turbulently through the heart or its valves.

No. Many heart murmurs are innocent and are not associated with heart disease.

Symptoms may include fatigue, shortness of breath, chest pain, dizziness, and heart palpitations, depending on the underlying cause.

Heart murmurs are evaluated and treated by a Cardiologist.

Diagnosis typically involves a physical examination, echocardiogram, electrocardiogram, and other cardiac imaging studies when necessary.

Yes. Some innocent heart murmurs may disappear over time, particularly in children.

Surgery may be necessary when the murmur is caused by severe heart valve disease or significant structural heart abnormalities.

Some congenital heart defects and certain valve disorders may have a genetic component.

It depends on the cause. A cardiologist should evaluate your condition before recommending physical activity.

You should seek medical attention if a heart murmur is accompanied by shortness of breath, chest pain, fainting, palpitations, or other cardiovascular symptoms.