The heart makes sounds as it pumps blood to the lungs and body. A murmur is an extra "whooshing" 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

Many children have "innocent" heart murmurs. They occur in infants and children during a fever or physical activity. This type of murmur usually goes away by the time the child is an adolescent.

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

The presence of a murmur does not always mean that the heart is unhealthy. Most heart murmurs are harmless and require no medical care. When heart murmurs signal the presence of disease or a structural abnormality in the heart, medical care or surgery may be needed.

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.

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For more information, please call UI Heart and Vascular Center, 319-356-4346.