Heart murmurs in adults are most commonly caused by heart valve conditions, but can also be caused by other factors such as hyperthyroidism, pregnancy, and aging. There are two types of heart murmurs, innocent and abnormal, with specific diseases causing the latter. Innocent murmurs can result from increased blood flow to the heart, while abnormal murmurs can be caused by heart valve disease, accidents, heart attack, high blood pressure, and other conditions.
The most common cause of heart murmurs in adults is any condition affecting the heart valves. Heart murmurs can also be caused by hyperthyroidism, pregnancy, strenuous exercise, fever, and anemia. Any changes in the structure of the heart, including heart surgery, infections, or aging, can also be a trigger. There are two types of heart murmurs, innocent and abnormal. Some of the specific diseases that cause abnormal heart murmurs include mitral valve prolapse, valve calcification, endocarthitis, and rheumatic fever.
Abnormal heart murmurs are the most common variety experienced by adults, although it is possible to have an innocent heart murmur at any age. Innocent murmurs can result from any condition that provides increased blood flow to the heart, such as pregnancy or anemia. One of the most common ways an adult can get an innocent heart murmur is mitral valve prolapse. This minor heart condition can be detected at birth or occur later in life. It contributes to heart murmurs due to a swollen mitral valve retracting slightly into the left atrium and allowing a small amount of blood to leak into the heart chamber.
Most abnormal heart murmurs in adults arise due to heart valve disease, which is usually caused by another condition. Heart murmurs can also be caused by any accident that puts strain on the valves. They can develop due to a heart attack, high blood pressure, heart failure, or as a result of a buildup of fat in the arteries.
Changes in the heart due to aging are another common cause. Valve calcification, the process by which substances such as calcium are deposited on the heart valves, is a typical condition of aging. These deposits put a strain on the cardiovascular system and change blood flow, causing a heart murmur.
Conditions outside the heart can also contribute to abnormal heart murmurs in adults. Germs in the blood can cause infections, such as endocarthitis, that travel to the heart and lead to murmurs. Rheumatic fever causes scarring on the heart valves that may not affect blood flow until years after you recover from the disease. Hyperthyroidism or high blood pressure are also causes of heart murmurs. Strenuous physical activity can also increase blood flow to such an extent that it triggers the condition.
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