Heart Murmurs in Adults: 9 Symptoms to be Aware of

Heart Murmurs in Adults: 9 Symptoms to Be Aware Of

Being told that you have a heart murmur can be frightening, but most are not serious or cause for alarm. A cardiac murmur is simply a heart sound that is abnormal. The sound is created by blood flow moving through one of the valves or other parts of your heart. A good way to think about it is that the heart is similar to house. Just like people can move through different rooms in the house, blood moves through different parts of the heart.

The heart has four valves, which when working normally, will help keep blood moving in the right direction and into your circulatory system. You can think of valves like the doors in your house that one must go through to go from room to room. Sometimes, the valves do not open or close properly and can change the way that blood moves through the valve. This change in blood flow creates a “whooshing” sound that is called a murmur. Many adults have some degree of a heart murmur.

What causes heart murmurs?

Heart murmurs can be congenital, meaning you have them from birth, or they can develop later in life. Heart murmurs can also be innocent or abnormal. A person with an innocent heart murmur has a normal heart and does not require treatment. A person with an abnormal heart murmur may need more extensive testing to determine the cause.

In adults, abnormal heart murmurs are mostly caused by acquired valve issues. Sometimes the valve flaps (also called leaflets) fail to open or close properly either due to stiffening, (which can happen as we age) or from valve disease, which changes how the leaflets fit together. Murmurs can also occur when the heart muscle weakens or enlarges abnormally. Other causes of a heart murmur include congenital heart conditions, abnormal holes or communications, low blood counts, rapid growth and extreme physical demands (such as exercise or being very sick).

To assess your murmur your doctor will order an ultrasound of the heart, called an echocardiogram, to get a better understanding of the valves and chambers of your heart.

The timing of a murmur is important to consider and helps your doctor decide what the issue is causing the sound. Murmurs can be systolic, which means they occur when the heart contracts, or diastolic, which means they occur when the heart relaxes. The sounds can be further organized by how long they can be heard and by how loud they are.

How is a heart murmur diagnosed?

A heart murmur is usually detected when your doctor is listening to your heart through a stethoscope. If your doctor thinks your heart murmur is caused by a condition that needs treatment, he or she may order an echocardiogram (ultrasound of the heart) and refer you to a cardiologist for further assessment. A CT scan and MRI may also be needed to find out more about your heart's structure.

Should I be worried?

Not necessarily. Many people will have a heart murmur their whole lives without needing treatment. Some murmurs, especially ones detected in children, are ‘innocent.’ This means that they will not affect your overall heart health and often go away with time. However, some murmurs may require frequent monitoring. If your murmur is cause for concern, you may be referred to a cardiology specialist who will evaluate you to see what treatments you may need such as medications, procedures, surgeries to stay healthy and feeling well.

What can I do about a heart murmur?

If you are diagnosed with a heart murmur, it is important to watch for symptoms such as difficulty exercising, extreme tiredness, passing out, leg swelling or shortness of breath. Daily exercise and a well-balanced diet are a great foundation for a healthy heart. If you have high blood pressure, work with your doctor to keep it in check. Any treatment you may need will depend on your condition and the symptoms you have.

You should inform your doctor if you experience any of these symptoms even if you've been told your murmur is innocent: