What is a Murmur? How is Murmur Treatment Done?

A murmur is the general term for sounds heard during a heart examination with a stethoscope, in addition to normal heart sounds, that resemble a blowing or whooshing sound.

What is a Murmur?

A murmur is the general term for sounds heard during a heart examination with a stethoscope, in addition to normal heart sounds, that resemble a blowing or whooshing sound.

What are the Causes of a Murmur?

Congenital or acquired heart and vascular problems can cause murmurs in specific areas, with varying characteristics. There are many types of murmurs based on their intensity and frequency. Some murmurs are completely harmless, while others may indicate mild or severe heart disease. In cases like anemia, pregnancy, or hyperthyroidism—conditions that increase blood flow rate—functional murmurs can be heard even when the heart and vessels are otherwise normal.

What are the Symptoms of Heart Disease Other Than a Murmur?

Whether a murmur is present or not, the following symptoms can be indicators of heart disease:

Murmurs in Babies:

• Cyanosis (bluish skin color)
• Rapid breathing, grunting
• Failure to gain weight
• Delayed growth and development
• Frequent lung infections

Murmurs in Children:

• Fainting or feeling faint
• Arrhythmias (irregular heart rhythms)
• Chest pain
• Fatigue, quick tiredness, or weakness during physical activities

What Are the Types of Murmurs?

A murmur is not the name of a disease, but a general term for the extra sounds heard in the heart. It is an examination finding that may indicate the presence of heart disease. The cause of the murmur is important. Murmurs can generally be divided into two main categories: pathological murmurs and innocent murmurs. Innocent murmurs are light, often musical sounds, usually caused by the vibration of insignificant fibrous bands inside the heart, especially in childhood. In these cases, no disease is involved.

Pathological murmurs are caused by conditions such as valve stenosis or insufficiency, vascular stenosis, or a hole in the heart, and are generally louder and more severe.

Types of Murmurs Based on the Heart’s Phase of Activity:

• Systolic murmurs: Heard during the contraction of the heart.
• Diastolic murmurs: Heard during the relaxation of the heart. They are low-frequency murmurs.
• Continuous murmurs: Heard both during the contraction and relaxation phases of the heart.

How is a Murmur Detected in Children?

Murmurs are often first noticed when a child is taken to the doctor due to a febrile illness. The intensity of murmurs increases and they become easier to hear during fever. Even if the child’s regular doctor has not previously detected the murmur, it can be noticed when the child presents with a fever. Murmurs can be detected during routine health checkups for children under the age of two. Some murmurs that are not detected at a young age may be identified during health screenings in elementary school.

How Are Murmurs Treated?

Murmurs themselves are not treated. The underlying condition causing the murmur (if present) is treated. Anyone, whether a child or an adult, who has a murmur must be evaluated by a cardiologist, and the cause of the murmur should be investigated. An echocardiographic examination provides detailed information about the heart’s structural and functional issues, so everyone who has a heart murmur should undergo this examination. This will help differentiate between pathological murmurs related to heart disease and innocent murmurs heard in healthy hearts.

If the murmur is caused by vascular stenosis, it will disappear once the vascular narrowing is treated. If the murmur is caused by a hole in the heart, closing the hole will eliminate the murmur. In functional murmurs, caused by increased blood flow (e.g., anemia or hyperthyroidism), the murmur will disappear once the underlying condition, such as treating anemia or hyperthyroidism, is addressed.

In the case of innocent murmurs, no treatment is required, as the heart is already healthy. Innocent murmurs may be more pronounced during febrile illnesses or may fade over time.