A heart murmur is a sound similar to a whisper or a whooshing noise caused by accelerated or turbulent blood flow through the heart.
Heart murmurs can be congenital (present from birth) or develop over the years, in which case they are considered acquired.
Is a heart murmur dangerous?
In some cases, a heart murmur can be harmless, as it does not indicate the presence of heart disease and therefore does not require treatment.
However, other heart murmurs may indicate a serious condition, so tests will be needed to identify them.
Heart murmurs in children are very common, and only on rare occasions will a specialist need to evaluate the situation to rule out problems.
If the pediatrician has doubts about a child’s heart murmur, they will most likely refer the patient to a pediatric cardiologist, who has the equipment and expertise to identify a potentially more serious condition.
When a heart murmur indicates a problem within the heart, it is referred to as a pathological murmur and is frequently associated with a congenital heart defect.
How can you tell if a heart murmur is harmless or not?
To identify a heart murmur in babies or older children, the pediatric cardiologist will ask about shortness of breath, chest pain, dizziness, or fainting.
Depending on the patient, the physician may request imaging studies, such as an X-ray, or tests such as an electrocardiogram or an echocardiogram.
Once these results are obtained, the pediatric cardiologist will determine whether or not the heart murmur could cause a problem for the child.
In most cases, heart murmurs do not pose a health risk, and as the child grows, they will be able to run, jump, play, and lead a normal life.
Types of treatments for a heart murmur
The treatment for a heart murmur that causes health problems depends on its underlying cause and may be managed with pharmacological or surgical approaches.
Medical treatments may include anticoagulants, diuretics, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, and beta blockers. Each of these medications has specific characteristics, and their use will depend on the child’s condition and the treating physician’s recommendation.
If it is necessary to address the condition surgically, the goal will be to correct the issue causing the heart murmur. Generally, surgery is used to repair a valve or, in some cases, to replace it.
In the Pediatric Heart Center of Centro Médico ABC, we provide specialized care for heart murmurs. Contact us!
