Locations Main Campus: Chesterfield, MO 63017   |   Locations
314-434-1500 314-434-1500   |   Contact Us

Multimedia Encyclopedia

BACK
TO
TOP
 
E-mail Form
Email Results

 
 
Print-Friendly
Bookmarks
bookmarks-menu

Heart murmurs

Chest sounds - murmurs; Heart sounds - abnormal; Murmur - innocent; Innocent murmur; Systolic heart murmur; Diastolic heart murmur

 

A heart murmur is a blowing, whooshing, or rasping sound heard during a heartbeat. The sound is caused by turbulent (rough) blood flow through the heart valves or near the heart.

Considerations

 

The heart has 4 chambers:

  • Two upper chambers (atria)
  • Two lower chambers (ventricles)

The heart has valves that close with each heartbeat, causing blood to flow in only one direction. The valves are located between the chambers.

Murmurs can happen for many reasons, such as:

  • When a valve does not close tightly and blood leaks backward (regurgitation)
  • When blood flows through a narrowed or stiff heart valve (stenosis)

There are several ways in which your health care provider may describe a murmur:

  • Murmurs are classified ("graded") depending on how loud the murmur sounds with a stethoscope. The grading is on a scale. Grade I can barely be heard. An example of a murmur description is a "grade II/VI murmur." (This means the murmur is grade 2 on a scale of 1 to 6).
  • In addition, a murmur is described by the stage of the heartbeat when the murmur is heard. A heart murmur may be described as systolic or diastolic.

When a murmur is more noticeable, the provider may be able to feel it with the palm of the hand over the heart.

Things the provider will look for in the exam include:

  • Does the murmur occur when the heart is resting or contracting?
  • Does it last throughout the heartbeat?
  • Does it change when you move?
  • Can it be heard in other parts of the chest, on the back, or in the neck?
  • Where is the murmur heard the loudest?

 

Causes

 

Many heart murmurs are harmless. These types of murmurs are called innocent murmurs. They will not cause any symptoms or problems. Innocent murmurs DO NOT need treatment.

Other heart murmurs may indicate an abnormality in the heart. These abnormal murmurs can be caused by:

  • Problems of the aortic valve ( aortic regurgitation , aortic stenosis)
  • Problems of the mitral valve ( chronic or acute mitral regurgitation, mitral stenosis )
  • Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (idiopathic hypertrophic subaortic stenosis)
  • Pulmonary regurgitation (backflow of blood into the right ventricle, caused by failure of the pulmonary valve to close completely)
  • Pulmonary valve stenosis
  • Problems of the tricuspid valve ( tricuspid regurgitation , tricuspid stenosis)

Significant murmurs in children are more likely to be caused by:

  • Anomalous pulmonary venous return (an abnormal formation of the pulmonary veins)
  • Atrial septal defect (ASD)
  • Coarctation of the aorta
  • Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA)
  • Ventricular septal defect (VSD)

Multiple murmurs may result from a combination of heart problems.

Children often have murmurs as a normal part of development. These murmurs DO NOT need treatment. They may include:

  • Pulmonary flow murmurs
  • Still's murmur
  • Venous hum

 

What to Expect at Your Office Visit

 

A provider can listen to your heart sounds by placing a stethoscope over your chest. You will be asked questions about your medical history and symptoms, such as:

  • Have other family members had murmurs or other abnormal heart sounds?
  • Do you have a family history of heart problems?
  • Do you have chest pain, fainting, shortness of breath, or other breathing problems?
  • Have you had swelling, weight gain, or bulging veins in the neck?
  • Does your skin have a bluish color?

The provider may ask you to squat, stand, or hold your breath while bearing down or gripping something with your hands to listen to your heart.

The following tests may be done:

  • Chest x-ray
  • ECG
  • Echocardiography

 

 

Open References

References

Fang JC, O'Gara PT. The history and physical examination: An evidence-based approach. In: Bonow RO, Mann DL, Zipes DP, Libby P, Braunwald E, eds. Braunwald's Heart Disease: A Textbook of Cardiovascular Medicine . 10th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2015:chap 11.

Goldman L. Approach to the patient with possible cardiovascular disease. In: Goldman L, Schafer AI, eds. Goldman's Cecil Medicine . 25th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2016:chap 51.

Nishimura RA, Otto CM, Bonow RO, et al. 2014 AHA/ACC guideline for the management of patients with valvular heart disease: executive summary: a report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Task Force on Practice Guidelines. Circulation . 2014;129(23):2440-2492. PMID: 24589852 www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24589852 .

 
  • Heartbeat

    Heartbeat

    Animation

    •  

    Heartbeat - Animation

    This animation follows the passage of blood through the heart's chambers and valves.

  • Heart, section through the middle

    Heart, section through the middle - illustration

    The interior of the heart is composed of valves, chambers, and associated vessels.

    Heart, section through the middle

    illustration

  • Heart valves

    Heart valves - illustration

    The valves of the heart open and close to control the flow of blood entering or leaving the heart.

    Heart valves

    illustration

  • Heartbeat

    Animation

    •  

    Heartbeat - Animation

    This animation follows the passage of blood through the heart's chambers and valves.

  • Heart, section through the middle

    Heart, section through the middle - illustration

    The interior of the heart is composed of valves, chambers, and associated vessels.

    Heart, section through the middle

    illustration

  • Heart valves

    Heart valves - illustration

    The valves of the heart open and close to control the flow of blood entering or leaving the heart.

    Heart valves

    illustration

A Closer Look

 

    Talking to your MD

     

      Self Care

       

        Tests for Heart murmurs

         
         

        Review Date: 5/5/2016

        Reviewed By: Michael A. Chen, MD, PhD, Associate Professor of Medicine, Division of Cardiology, Harborview Medical Center, University of Washington Medical School, Seattle, WA. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Isla Ogilvie, PhD, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

        The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. © 1997- A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.

         
         
         

         

         

        A.D.A.M. content is best viewed in IE9 or above, Firefox and Google Chrome browser.



        Content is best viewed in IE9 or above, Firefox and Google Chrome browser.