Heart murmur
Heart Murmur
A Heart Murmur (pronounced: hahrt mur-mur) is an abnormal sound heard during a heartbeat. Murmurs range from very faint to very loud and sometimes sound like a whooshing or swishing noise.
Etymology
The term "murmur" comes from the Latin murmurare, meaning "to murmur or mutter", which is a descriptive term for the sound that is heard.
Definition
A heart murmur is a sound made by turbulent blood in or near your heart. Heart murmurs can be present at birth (congenital heart defects) or develop later in life. They can occur when the heart is in a state of relaxation or contraction.
Types
There are two types of heart murmurs: innocent heart murmurs and abnormal heart murmurs. Innocent heart murmurs, also known as functional or physiological murmurs, are sounds made by a normal heart. On the other hand, abnormal heart murmurs can be a sign of serious heart conditions such as valvular heart diseases.
Symptoms
Symptoms of a heart murmur can include chest pain, rapid heartbeat (tachycardia), shortness of breath (dyspnea), fatigue, and fainting (syncope).
Diagnosis
Heart murmurs are usually detected when a healthcare provider listens to your heart using a stethoscope during a physical examination. Further tests such as echocardiogram, chest X-ray, or cardiac catheterization may be needed to determine the cause and severity of the murmur.
Treatment
Treatment for heart murmurs depends on the cause. Innocent heart murmurs do not require treatment. However, if an underlying heart condition is causing the murmur, treatment may include medications, procedures, or surgery.
Related Terms
- Congenital heart defects
- Valvular heart diseases
- Tachycardia
- Dyspnea
- Syncope
- Echocardiogram
- Chest X-ray
- Cardiac catheterization
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Heart murmur
- Wikipedia's article - Heart murmur
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