Heart murmurs?

Question

I recently got diagnosed with one and waiting for my echocardiogram results to come in. I want to know how people can get them, and what can make the murmur worse? I'm really worried.

I forgot a couple questions,

Why is my doctor making me take penicillin/amoxcillin before I go to the dentist?
How can my body develop infection just because I have a murmur?

Answer 1

a murmur is simply a defective heart valve that does not close properly leaking blood back into the ventricles, usually the left one. some cases murmurs are acquired thoughout life because there is a systemic problem that causing it like hypertension. depending how bad is leaking you should avoid extreme sports, keep blood pressure low with medication if needed.
about the dentist visit, he wants to avoid you developing an infection somehow. I don't think it relates to the murmur, since it's a cardiovascular problem.

Answer 2

Heart Murmurs are generally genetic ,you are born with it.Caffeine can cause pain and irregular heart beat. The main thing is,they will recommend that you use antibiotic's before oral procedures. No need to worry. It's a minor defect. However, if it ever causes you discomfort, there are medications you can take, once you begin drug therapy, you cannot,should not stop.You have had this condition all of your life, without concern, don't let the news worry you too much, Awareness is a good thing. Smoking to make it worse.Do some research through Mayo clinic web site.

Answer 3

Hi! I also have heart murmurs. I've had it since I was kid. I used to have a hole in my left ventricle and according my cardiologist that was the reason for the murmurs. Fortunately, after 14 years, my 2D echo revealed that I no longer have a hole in my heart. I don't know how it happened because I never had surgery. The weird thing is that I still have the murmurs.

Answer 4

That varies on a lot of factors. My sister got one because she had untreated strep throat that led to rheumatic fever. The doctor told her that gaining too much wait could make it worse. He also told her that eating habits could make it worse. She had to have a shot before she just got her teeth cleaned because of the risk of bleeding. My suggestion is to ask your doctor what you personally can to help make it better. He/She is the one that would best know how to answer.

Answer 5

now i'm a doctor so i'm not dispensing advices to you. but in my non professional opinion, heart murmurs are usually benign and are random. they usually present no outward problem.

Answer 6

do not worry heart murmers are very common,they do not poccess any risk to you