Health Topics for Cardiovascular Health

UI Heart and Vascular Care

Cardiovascular Diseases

Heart murmur

The heart makes sounds as it pumps blood to the lungs and body. A murmur is an extra sound as blood flows through the chambers and valves of the heart. The sounds are heard with a stethoscope.

Heart murmurs are noises created by:

• narrowed heart valves
• failure of the heart valves to close completely or
• backflow through an opening in the inner wall of the heart

The presence of a murmur does not always mean that the heart is unhealthy. Most heart murmurs are harmless and require no medical care. Murmurs that are accompanied by symptoms, such as shortness of breath, lightheadedness, inability to tolerate exertion, frequent episodes of rapid heart rate, or chest pain, require treatment. When heart murmurs signal the presence of disease or a structural abnormality in the heart, medical care or surgery may be needed.

Heart murmurs may be caused by:

• congenital defects such as holes in the heart or
• acquired defects such as those resulting from rheumatic heart disease
• any high blood flow condition such as an over-active thyroid
• anemia
• infection of the lining or other areas of the heart and
• heart failure

If you have a heart murmur, check with your healthcare provider before having any dental work or surgery. You may need to take antibiotics to prevent infection of your heart valves following your dental care or surgery.

Last Reviewed: 2005

Disclaimer: This content is reviewed periodically and is subject to change as new health information becomes available. The information provided is intended to be informative and educational and is not a replacement for professional medical evaluation, advice, diagnosis or treatment by a healthcare professional.

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