Heart Murmur Signs That Could Mean Something Serious

What Causes A Heart Murmur?

Heart murmurs are sounds during the heartbeat cycle that are caused by turbulent blood in or near the heart and makes a whooshing or swishing noise compared to the two beats heard with a normal heart. Heart murmurs can be present at birth, known as congenital heart defects, or can develop in a patient later in life, and can indicate an underlying heart issue.

Specifically, there are two types of heart murmurs: innocent and abnormal. A patient with an innocent murmur is considered to have a normal heart, and this type of murmur is most commonly seen in newborns and children. However, an abnormal heart murmur is more serious, as in children this form is usually caused by congenital heart disease, and in adults, it is often caused by acquired heart valve problems.

Continue reading to learn more about innocent and abnormal heart murmurs and their differences now.