Heart murmurs and other sounds
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Heart murmurs and other sounds

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Chest sounds - murmurs; Heart sounds - abnormal; Murmur - innocent; Innocent murmur; Systolic heart murmur; Diastolic heart murmur

A heart murmur is a blowing, whooshing, or rasping sound heard during a heartbeat. The sound is caused by turbulent (rough) blood flow through the heart valves or near the heart.

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  • Considerations

    The heart has four chambers:

    • Two upper chambers (atria)
    • Two lower chambers (ventricles)

    The heart has valves that close with each heartbeat, causing blood to flow in only one direction. The valves are located between the chambers.

    Heartbeat

    Heartbeat

    Murmurs can happen for many reasons, such as:

    • When a valve does not close tightly and blood leaks backward (regurgitation)
    • When blood flows through a narrowed or stiff heart valve (stenosis)

    There are several ways in which your doctor may describe a murmur:

    • Murmurs are classified ("graded") depending on how loud the murmur sounds with a stethoscope. The grading is on a scale. Grade I can barely be heard. An example of a murmur description is a "grade II/VI murmur." (This means the murmur is grade 2 on a scale of 1 - 6).
    • In addition, a murmur is described by the stage of the heartbeat when the murmur is heard. A heart murmur may be described as systolic or diastolic.

    When a murmur is more noticeable, the doctor may be able to feel it with the palm of the hand over the heart.

    Things the doctor will look for in the exam include:

    • Does the murmur occur when the heart is resting or contracting?
    • Does it last throughout the heartbeat?
    • Does it change when you move?
    • Can it be heard in other parts of the chest, on the back, or in the neck?
    • Where is the murmur heard the loudest?

  • Causes

    Many heart murmurs are harmless. These types of murmurs are called innocent murmurs. They will not cause any symptoms or problems. Innocent murmurs do not need treatment.

    Other heart murmurs may indicate an abnormality in the heart. These abnormal murmurs can be caused by:

    • Problems of the aortic valve (aortic regurgitation, aortic stenosis)
    • Problems of the mitral valve (chronic or acute mitral regurgitation, mitral stenosis)
    • Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (idiopathic hypertrophic subaortic stenosis)
    • Pulmonary regurgitation (backflow of blood into the right ventricle, caused by failure of the pulmonary valve to close completely)
    • Pulmonary valve stenosis
    • Problems of the tricuspid valve (tricuspid regurgitation, tricuspid stenosis)

    Significant murmurs in children are more likely to be caused by:

    • Anomalous pulmonary venous return (an abnormal formation of the pulmonary veins)
    • Atrial septal defect (ASD)
    • Coarctation of the aorta
    • Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA)
    • Ventricular septal defect (VSD)

    Multiple murmurs may result from a combination of heart problems.

    Children often have murmurs as a normal part of development. These murmurs do not need treatment. They may include:

    • Pulmonary flow murmurs
    • Still's murmur
    • Venous hum

  • What to Expect at Your Office Visit

    A doctor or nurse can listen to your heart sounds by placing a stethoscope over your chest. You will be asked questions about your medical history and symptoms, such as:

    • Have other family members had murmurs or other abnormal heart sounds?
    • Do you have a family history of heart problems?
    • Do you have chest pain, fainting, shortness of breath, or other breathing problems?
    • Have you had swelling, weight gain, or bulging veins in the neck?
    • Does your skin have a bluish color?

    The doctor may ask you to squat, stand, or hold your breath while bearing down or gripping something with your hands to listen to your heart.

    The following tests may be done:

    • Chest x-ray
    • ECG
    • Echocardiography

Related Information

EchocardiogramAortic stenosis
Open References

References

Goldman L. Approach to the patient with possible cardiovascular disease. In: Goldman L, Schafer AI, eds. Goldman's Cecil Medicine. 24th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Saunders Elsevier; 2011:chap 50.

Sabatine MS, Cannon CP. The history and physical examination: An evidence-based approach. In: Bonow RO, Mann DL, Zipes DP, Libby P, eds. Braunwald's Heart Disease: A Textbook of Cardiovascular Medicine. 9th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Saunders Elsevier; 2011:chap 12.

Nishimura RA, Otto CM, Bonow RO, et al. 2014 AHA/ACC Guideline for the Management of Patients With Valvular Heart Disease. Circulation. 2014;129(23):2440-92.

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Review Date: 5/13/2014

Reviewed By: Michael A. Chen, MD, PhD, Associate Professor of Medicine, Division of Cardiology, Harborview Medical Center, University of Washington Medical School, Seattle, WA. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Isla Ogilvie, PhD, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

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