Innocent heart murmurs are harmless variations in heart sounds that do not pose any medical problems. They are common in children and can come and go over time. Doctors can diagnose them during an examination and imaging studies may be ordered to gather more information. Patients do not need to alter their activity levels, diet, or take medications. It is important to inform new doctors or medical providers about the condition to avoid unnecessary concerns.
An innocent heart murmur is a variation of the sound of the heart that is not associated with any increased risk or medical problems for the patient. Although people often associate heart murmurs with danger, in the case of an innocent murmur, the condition is harmless and often comes and goes over time. Many people have them at some point as children and they resolve in adulthood. Common causes of innocent heart murmurs include small changes in the structures around the heart, pregnancy, and high fever.
A doctor will be able to hear an innocent heart murmur during an examination. In addition to the expected heart sounds, the patient may have wheezing or wheezing. During the exam, your doctor will ask about symptoms associated with more serious heart murmurs, such as shortness of breath and fatigue. Usually, the doctor can tell that a murmur is innocent by the sound and the patient’s answers to questions, but imaging studies of the heart and electrocardiograms may also be ordered to gather more information.
A person with an innocent heart murmur may experience strange heart sounds after exercise or in response to stress, but they are not dangerous. Activity levels should not be reduced or altered, and patients should not follow any special dietary recommendations or take any medications. Commonly, the murmur is the result of turbulence in the blood flow, such as in pregnancy, where blood volume decreases, and during heavy exercise, when the heart is working hard to pump blood to the extremities and supply the muscles with oxygen they need.
When a doctor diagnoses an innocent heart murmur, information about the nature of the condition can be provided and will be noted in the patient’s file so other health care professionals know it has been identified and evaluated. In families with a history of heart disease, it can be alarming to hear of an innocent heart murmur, but it is important to be aware that the patient will be carefully examined for any signs of malignancy or complications to confirm the murmur’s innocence.
People who know they have innocent heart murmurs may want to tell new doctors or people like medical providers responding to an emergency about it so they know the sound is normal and has been noticed and discussed. This can help allay concerns when people are treating a patient for the first time or providing care in adverse conditions, such as in a medical emergency.
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