i am going into the military but they said that i have a possible Heart Murmur. what is the best home treatment for this promblem.
and can they detect this in a blood test?
thanks
2007-02-25 12:32:29 · 6 answers · asked by Anonymous in Health ➔ Diseases & Conditions ➔ Heart Diseases
A heart murmur as correctly stated can only be heard with a stethoscope. It has nothing to do with an irregular rhythm. It also may or may not be associated with a "hole" in your heart (atrial septal defect or patent ductus arteriosis). Additional sources would be from a valve (your heart has four) that either does not open well enough (stenosis) or close well enough (regurgitation) or due to the way blood flows as its being ejected from the ventricle (outflow murmur).
Certain mumurs are benign but many others are not. The only way to have a murmur evaluated is by an echocardiogram (sound waves, ultra sound). An EKG may or may not have changes due to murmur but it will be very nonspecific and nothing can be diagnosed with that and/or a blood test.
Often children have outflow murmurs that resolve as they mature. These are benign and do not require treatment, special precautions or anything else. There are no supplements that will assist you in treating your murmur - because one, we don't yet even know you still have a murmur and two, we don't know the nature of the murmur. Occassionally murmurs develop secondary to other conditions...and that's what requires treatment.
In sum, relax until it is determined if you even still have a murmur and if so, the nature of your murmur. If you have a murmur then an echo can be done. If it is determined that you would not be safe to be in the military, then it is what it is. It is in your and the military's interest it be that way. Your path will lead you to another opportunity. Good luck and be safe.
2007-02-25 13:56:24 · answer #1 · answered by c_schumacker 6 · 1⤊ 2⤋
The heart murmur may disqualify you from joining the military because they don't want to be responsible for you. Have a doctor confirm the heart murmur and may require test like a EKG. There is no blood test to detect the murmur and no home remedy to fix the problem. Most heart murmurs don't cause much concern for everyday life but it's not allowed in the military. Have a heart murmur and had a military doctor hear it and was very unusual for them to hear it since they don't deal with it. Sorry.
2007-02-25 21:31:11 · answer #2 · answered by Minot_1997 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
There is no home remedy and they detect it by listening to your heart. A heart murmur is an irregular heart beat. Some can be signs of heart trouble to come, but many never show symptoms and need no treatment. I was born with one and have a very healthy heart. If you have never had heart problems, they will probably put you through a heart stress test. They measure your heart while at rest, then walking and/or running on a treadmill. If you pass then there is no reason you can't join the military.
2007-02-25 20:45:43 · answer #3 · answered by Virginia S 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
OK... first thing, the only way a doctor or nurse can detect a heart murmur is by listening to your heart with a stethoscope, not by a blood test. Secondly, most heart murmurs are completely benign, meaning they don't cause you any problems. To detect if you have a problem with your heart rhythm, they may recommend you have an EKG done. (An EKG is a simple test where they put leads (stickers) on your chest and connect wires to a machine to read your heart activity.) There are no "home treatments" to cure heart murmurs. Good luck in your military career, and thanks for being willing to defend our country.
2007-02-25 20:42:29 · answer #4 · answered by nursemandi99 2 · 3⤊ 0⤋
I am an LPN for 30+ years and I have a mitral valve prolapse. Listen to the cardiologist that responded before me. He has a great answer.
2007-02-26 00:27:47 · answer #5 · answered by ncgirl 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
there really isnt very much you can do for it. Its just a small hole in your heart. Not something you can take care of at home. Sorry.
2007-02-25 20:41:34 · answer #6 · answered by muah! 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋