Did the doctor tell you that you have a strange sound in your heart? (Heart Murmur) - Don't worry, let's talk about this!

When you go to a doctor, he puts a stethoscope to your chest and listens carefully, right? What would you think if he said, "Hmm... I can hear a little heart murmur"? It's really scary, isn't it? But before we get scared, let's understand exactly what this extra sound heard in the heart is, or what doctors call a 'heart murmur'.

Simply put, what is this Heart Murmur?

Think of it like a water pump. Inside this pump are four parts that act like doors. We call these heart valves. When the heart beats, that is, when it pumps blood, these valves open and close in an orderly manner. When the valves of a perfectly healthy heart close, you hear two distinct sounds called 'lub-dub'.

However, sometimes, in addition to this 'lub-dub' sound, you can hear a 'whoosh' or 'swish' sound, like a tube filled with air. That extra sound is what we call a Heart Murmur. This means that there is some small abnormality in the way blood flows inside the heart.

Are there types of Heart Murmur?

Yes, doctors classify this sound according to the time it is heard. This may sound a bit medical, but let's keep it simple.

• Systolic Murmur: This is heard when your heart muscle contracts and pumps blood out.
• Diastolic Murmur: This is heard when the heart muscle relaxes and the heart fills with blood.
• Continuous Murmur: This sound is heard as the heart contracts and relaxes, that is, throughout the entire heartbeat.

In general, diastolic and continuous murmurs are the two types most likely to be associated with some form of heart disease. However, no matter what type of murmur it is, it is important to have it properly checked by a doctor.

What causes a Heart Murmur?

Causes can be divided into two categories. One is harmless causes, and the other is causes caused by a medical condition.

Harmless "Innocent Murmurs"

These are called "innocent murmurs." They occur because blood is flowing through the heart a little faster than normal. This is not a medical condition. It can be caused by things like:

• In early childhood: Many young children hear these harmless murmurs. These disappear as they grow older.
• During pregnancy:During pregnancy, the amount of blood in the body increases, causing the heart to work harder. This is why you may hear sounds like this. These will go away after the baby is born.
• When exercising: When we exercise, our heart beats faster, so blood circulation also increases.
• Growth spurts: This condition can occur during children's rapid growth spurts when they suddenly gain height and develop a body.

Murmurs caused by a medical condition

Sometimes, a heart murmur can be a symptom of a health problem. Let's take a look at what causes it.

What symptoms does a person with a heart murmur experience?

A person with an innocent murmur may not have any symptoms. It is often discovered incidentally when visiting a doctor for another condition.

However, if a murmur is caused by a heart condition, other symptoms related to it may also occur.

• Shortness of breath/difficulty breathing: Shortness of breath even with a little exertion.
• Chest pain or tightness: A feeling of tightness in the chest.
• Palpitations: Feeling your heart beating faster, sometimes like a thud.
• Syncope: A sudden loss of consciousness.
• Swelling in the legs, ankles, or abdomen: Due to fluid accumulation in the body.
• Bluish skin: Especially the lips and fingertips. This means that the blood is not getting enough oxygen.
• Persistent cough.

If you have any of these symptoms, don't ignore them. See your doctor immediately.

How exactly does the doctor find this?

The first thing you do is listen carefully to your heart with a stethoscope. The doctor will pay attention to many things, such as the nature of the sound, the loudness, and the timing.

To learn more about the sound, your doctor may ask you to do different things:

• Sit down, stand up.
• Stand up suddenly from sitting.
• Squat a little.
• Clench your fists tightly.

When these things are done, the way blood flows to the heart changes. At the same time, the sound of the murmur also changes. Based on these changes, the doctor can get a good idea of ​​the nature of the murmur.

Will further tests be needed?

Not everyone is tested for a murmur. However, if your doctor suspects a heart condition, he or she may refer you to a cardiologist and order some tests, such as:

1. Electrocardiogram (ECG/EKG): A painless test that records the electrical activity of the heart.

2. Chest X-ray: Check the size, shape of the heart, and the condition of the lungs.

3. Echocardiogram (Echo): This is the most important test. It's like a scan of a baby. It uses sound waves to create live images of the heart and its valves. It can clearly show everything from how the valves are working, the direction of blood flow, and the thickness of the heart muscle.

What is the treatment for a Heart Murmur?

This depends entirely on the cause of the murmur.

However, if a murmur is caused by a medical condition, the treatment is for that underlying condition.

• If it is due to anemia , medications such as iron tablets will be given.
• If it's due to high blood pressure , you will be given medication for it.
• If the heart valves are damaged , they can sometimes be controlled with medication. However, if the damage is severe, surgery may be needed to repair the valve (valve repair) or replace it with a new valve (valve replacement).
• If it's something like a birth defect , it can also be treated with surgery or another method.

Your doctor and cardiologist will decide what treatment is needed.