Are heart murmurs always serious?

Heart murmurs may sound scary, but do not always point towards a serious underlying medical condition. In this article below, extremely well-regarded consultant cardiologist, Dr Mark Scoote, explains what exactly a heart murmur is, outlines the associated symptoms, and tells us when one should see a doctor about the murmurs.

What is a heart murmur?

A heart murmur is a noticeable and audible sound through a stethoscope of a blood flowing through the heart. It is generally the transmitted sound of increased velocity of blood. On some occasions, heart murmurs can indicate problems with the heart, but on other occasions, they are nothing to worry about.

What causes heart murmurs?

Anything that increases the blood flow velocity in the circulation can cause an audible murmur when a healthcare listens to that area with a stethoscope. If you are anxious, if you are anaemic, or if you’re pregnant, you might have what we call an ‘innocent’ heart murmur.

More serious causes include a tightening of one of the heart valves or a leaking of one of the heart valves. There are some heart muscle conditions that can also cause heart murmurs. These can generate heart murmurs, too.

More rarely, there are some congenital heart conditions, like a whole in the heart. This also generates an audible heart murmur.

Are they always serious?

No, they are not always serious. Some patients have innocent heart murmurs in times of high stress or if patients are very anxious. The heart rate will beat quite fast in moments like this.

Patients should see a healthcare professional to discuss their symptoms and to try to find out what might be causing their heart murmurs. By doing this, they can distinguish whether it is an innocent murmur or perhaps a more serious one.

What are the symptoms that are associated with a heart murmur?

A heart murmur is not a symptom in itself. The symptoms associated with a heart murmur are palpitations, chest pain, and breathlessness.

When should I see a doctor about a heart murmur?

If you are worried about symptoms associated with a heart murmur, you should see a doctor. If you have been diagnosed with a heart murmur, they should make a further assessment of you to find out if it is serious. Ultrasound scans are sometimes used, as well as echocardiograms.

To book an appointment with Dr Mark Scoote, simply visit his Top Doctors profile today.