2007-01-01 06:48:57 · 8 answers · asked by ldydai69 1 in Health ➔ Diseases & Conditions ➔ Heart Diseases
A heart murmur is a valve in the heart that does not fully close after the pump of the heart beat. This allows blood to continuously flow causing a murmur sound as it is listened to. Not a good condition for the heart and should be addressed by a Doctor to see the extent of the seriousness. This could range in severity from "not to worry" to needs surgery to correct." Check with your doctor.
2007-01-01 06:54:09 · answer #1 · answered by Joseph L 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Heart murmurs are most often caused by defective heart valves. A stenotic (sten-OT'ik) heart valve has a smaller-than-normal opening and can't open completely. A valve may also be unable to close completely. This leads to regurgitation, which is blood leaking backward through the valve when it should be closed.
Murmurs also can be caused by conditions such as pregnancy, fever, thyrotoxicosis (thi"ro-toks"ih-KO'sis) (a diseased condition resulting from an overactive thyroid gland) or anemia.
A diastolic (di"as-TOL'ik) murmur occurs when the heart muscle relaxes between beats. A systolic (sis-TOL'ik) murmur occurs when the heart muscle contracts. Systolic murmurs are graded by intensity (loudness) from one to six. A grade 1/6 is very faint, heard only with a special effort. A grade 6/6 is extremely loud. It's heard with a stethoscope slightly removed from the chest.
2007-01-01 07:02:59 · answer #2 · answered by c.s. 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
What is a heart murmur?
A heart murmur is neither a diagnosis nor a disease; it is an indication that something may be wrong. It is the extra swishing or whistling sound heard with a stethoscope in addition to the normal "lub/dub" as blood flows through the chambers and valves of the heart.
What causes it?
A heart murmur may be either genetic or acquired. An opening in the heart, a narrowing of a valve, or a narrowing of a great artery may be hereditary. A heart murmur can be acquired as a result of rheumatic heart disease, a high blood flow condition such as an over-active thyroid, anemia, an infection of the lining or other areas of the heart, or heart failure. Most heart murmurs are benign (innocent or functional heart murmurs) and are not a result of heart disease.
A small opening in the heart may close on its own or become inaudible, as the chest grows bigger. A softer sounding heart murmur may indicate that there is a large hole in the heart. Different problems create different sounding heart murmurs
Innocent or Functional heart murmurs may be caused by:
• Fever (which causes faster blood flow and resolves when fever subsides)
• Anemia (which may also cause faster blood flow due to a low concentration of red blood cells and resolves when the anemia is treated)
• Venous hum (which results from normal blood flow in jugular veins)
• Still's murmur (which is frequently heard in active, healthy, 3-7 year old children and is the normal sound of blood rushing out into the aorta during heart contractions)
Not-innocent, not-functional, or organic murmur may be caused by:
• A structural abnormality such as a narrow valve, a leaking valve, or a hole in the heart (septal defect).
Symptoms of a Not-innocent heart murmur
Newborns with episodes of cyanosis, tiring easily during feedings, breathing rapidly, sweating excessively, or not gaining weight
Toddlers - not growing, frequent lung infections, tiring easily, or becoming short of breath with moderate activity.
School aged child or teenager - complaints of dizziness, fainting, tiring easily, or shortness of breath during exercise.
Diagnosis
Performance of an electrocardiogram and/or an echocardiogram
Treatment
May include medical management or surgery of a not-innocent heart murmur. It is important to check with the physician before having any dental care or surgery done as prophylactic antibiotics may be needed.
2007-01-01 07:00:39 · answer #3 · answered by chubbysylph 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Murmurs are abnormal heart sounds that are produced as a result of turbulent blood flow, which is sufficient to produce audible noise. This most commonly results from narrowing or leaking of valves or the presence of abnormal passages through which blood flows in or near the heart. Murmurs are not usually part of the normal cardiac physiology and thus warrant further investigations. However, they sometimes result from harmless flow characteristics of no clinical significance.
2007-01-01 06:50:29 · answer #4 · answered by ? 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
when a valve in the heart does not close all the way as it beats letting blood leak through...creates a murmer when listened to
2007-01-01 06:51:07 · answer #5 · answered by silverback487 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's where hearts don't have a steady beat. Not really "skipping" a beat, but going fast at one point.
2007-01-01 06:51:18 · answer #6 · answered by Coalie 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋
abnormal heart beat
2007-01-01 06:51:24 · answer #7 · answered by GiGi 4 · 0⤊ 2⤋
an irregular heartbeat
2007-01-01 06:50:34 · answer #8 · answered by wondering one 2 · 0⤊ 3⤋