Heart Murmur Signs That Could Mean Something Serious

Innocent Versus Abnormal Heart Murmurs

Innocent heart murmurs occur when the blood flows more rapidly through the heart than normal. Conditions that can cause an increase in blood flow through the heart include physical activity or exercise, fever, pregnancy, anemia, hyperthyroidism, and phases of rapid growth. Thankfully, innocent heart murmurs can disappear over time or can last an entire lifetime without causing any further health complications. Abnormal heart murmurs in children, especially newborns, are caused by congenital heart defects, specifically structural problems of the heart. Common congenital defects that cause heart murmurs include holes in the heart or cardiac shunts (septal defects) and heart valve abnormalities such as stenosis or regurgitation.

Other causes of abnormal heart murmurs include infections and illnesses that damage the heart’s structure and are more commonly diagnosed in teenagers and adults. Examples of these other conditions include valve calcification or the thickening of the valves, endocarditis or an infection in the lining of the heart valves, and rheumatic fever.

Next, find out the available treatment options patients have when they are dealing with a heart murmur.