Something about heart murmurs and other sounds

• April 28, 2024

The murmurs are whistling or harsh noises caused by turbulent blood flow through the heart valves or near the heart. This is defined by the doctors of the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute of the United States (NIH, for its acronym in English). What does this mean? That murmurs occur when a valve does not close well and blood is returned, or when blood flows through a narrow or rigid valve.

How can it be detected? A doctor can evaluate heart sounds through a stethoscope, but only an echocardiogram can find the exact cause of the murmur.

How they are detected

A murmur does not necessarily mean that you have a disease or disorder, and not all cardiac disorders cause murmurs. However, the single word evokes discomfort and worry especially when they are detected in newborns. Experts point out that some adults and many children have incidental murmurs in the heart that are benign and that at least 30% of children will have a harmless heart murmur at some stage of their childhood. Benign murmurs do not require treatment. However, some may signal an underlying cardiac problem and can be treated by medication or surgery, depending on the cause and extent of the problem.

Classification

The murmurs are classified or graduated depending on their ability to be heard by the examiner and based on a scale of 1 to 6: grade 1 corresponds to a barely perceptible one. In addition, a murmur is described according to the stage of the heartbeat when listening. When it is more prominent, the doctor can feel it even with the palm of the hand over the heart. Often, the specialist can identify the valve involved and if you have regurgitation or stenosis during the exam. The location, quality and timing of the blow are all important. The doctor may ask you to squat, stand or hold your breath while you hold something with your hands to listen to your heart.

symptom

Benign murmurs usually have no symptoms, but abnormal ones may include: shortness of breath, lightheadedness, chest pain, palpitations, and exercise intolerance. When in doubt, it is always best to go to the doctor. Your heart will thank you.

Video Medicine: Understanding Heart Murmurs, Aortic and Mitral Valve Problems (April 2024).