A heart murmur is an extra sound heard during a heartbeat, distinct from the familiar “lub-dub” rhythm. This unusual sound, often described as a whooshing or swishing noise, originates from turbulent blood flow within the heart. While the heart’s valves typically open and close smoothly to direct blood, any disruption to this flow can create an audible murmur.
Understanding Heart Murmurs
A heart murmur is a sound, not a physical sensation a person can experience directly. The sound is generated by blood flowing rapidly or chaotically through the heart’s chambers, valves, or nearby blood vessels. This turbulent flow can occur due to narrowed or leaky heart valves, or increased blood volume or speed.
People often mistakenly believe they can “feel” a murmur because they experience symptoms of an underlying condition. These symptoms prompt medical attention, where a murmur is then detected.
Heart murmurs fall into two categories: “innocent” (harmless) and “abnormal” (indicative of a health problem). Only abnormal murmurs suggest an underlying issue requiring further investigation.
Symptoms That Can Accompany Murmurs
While a heart murmur is a sound, abnormal murmurs can be accompanied by various physical sensations and symptoms stemming from underlying heart conditions:
Shortness of breath, especially during activity or when lying down, indicating the heart struggles to pump blood effectively.
Unexplained fatigue or persistent tiredness, even without significant activity, due to reduced circulation of oxygen-rich blood.
Chest discomfort or pain, which can vary from sharp to dull or a squeezing feeling.
Dizziness or fainting episodes, if the heart’s pumping action compromises blood flow to the brain.
Palpitations, described as a rapid, fluttering, or pounding heart sensation.
Swelling in the ankles, feet, or abdomen, suggesting fluid retention from impaired heart function.
How Doctors Identify Murmurs
Healthcare providers primarily detect heart murmurs through a method called auscultation, which involves listening to the heart with a stethoscope. During this examination, the doctor listens for specific characteristics of the sounds, including their timing within the heartbeat, their pitch, and their intensity or loudness. They may ask the patient to perform actions like gripping their hands, sitting, or squatting, as these can alter the blood flow and help characterize the murmur.
If a murmur is heard and deemed potentially abnormal, further diagnostic tests may be ordered to identify the underlying cause. An echocardiogram, which uses sound waves to create moving images of the heart’s structures and blood flow, is a common next step. This test helps visualize the heart valves and chambers to detect any structural problems. Other tests might include an electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG) to measure the heart’s electrical activity or a chest X-ray to check for an enlarged heart or other structural issues.
When to Consult a Doctor
If you experience any of the symptoms discussed, such as unexplained shortness of breath, persistent fatigue, chest discomfort, dizziness, palpitations, or swelling, it is advisable to consult a medical professional. These symptoms can be indicators of an underlying heart condition that might be causing an abnormal heart murmur. Prompt evaluation can help determine the significance of any symptoms and whether they are related to heart health.
Only a doctor can accurately diagnose a heart murmur and ascertain whether it is an innocent sound or a sign of a more serious underlying issue. Self-diagnosing based on perceived sensations is not recommended, as many heart murmurs are harmless and require no treatment. Seeking professional medical advice ensures proper diagnosis and appropriate management for any heart-related concerns.