Heart murmer?

[tiggerlover]

Does anyone know anything about heart murmers? My MIL was told she has one, but she hasn't seen the doc yet and DH and I were curious about them.

 

[BWVDenise]

Lots of people have them. There are different degrees, some are very mild. It is a sound that the doctor can hear when the blood leaks back through one of the valves (they call it regurgitation or insufficiency), or when a valve is restricting the blood flow (stenosis). They may order an echocardiogram to find out the severity of it.
Hope that helps some.

 

[Pin Wizard]

When DS was born almost 10 years ago, they checked him out really well since DH had a massive heart attack. They said DS had an "innocent murmer." Apparently, it didn't require any medical treatment. Do they ever outgrow stuff like that or is it with them for life? Any nurses know? Thanks! Perhaps your mom's might be like that.

 

[binny]

I have one, its never been an issue except when I was PG. They just watched it more carefully then. I think most of the time its really no big deal.

 

[TiggerPiglet]

I don't think heart murmurs are a big deal most of the time. I have a heart murmur and had two kids with no problems.
Pin Wizard, I am not a nurse or doctor, but I'm almost positive you do not outgrow this. You have it for life, but like I said it's usually not a problem for most people, I know it hasn't been for me. Probably the biggest inconvenience, if you want to call it that, is I have to take medication before I go to the dentist. I have to make sure I take it, otherwise they won't treat me.

 

[dizneenut]

I've had one since I was 5. I have mitral valve prolapse (MVP). Its never been an issue. I had 4 kids with no trouble. I take antibiotics before any dental work or surgery. I sometimes feel like my heart is going to pound out of my chest, but that is the only problem I have ever had, and that just started about 2 years ago.

 

[Dodie]

I'd do a search on www.webmd.com for "heart murmur." I've been very pleased with the information that site returns about various medical terminology.

 

[Pin Wizard]

Originally posted by TiggerPiglet
Pin Wizard, I am not a nurse or doctor, but I'm almost positive you do not outgrow this. You have it for life, but like I said it's usually not a problem for most people, I know it hasn't been for me. Probably the biggest inconvenience, if you want to call it that, is I have to take medication before I go to the dentist. I have to make sure I take it, otherwise they won't treat me.

Thanks, TiggerPiglet!

 

[Disney Dee]

i also have mitral valve prolapse, its not that uncommon, especially in women, and in your MIL case, her murmer may be MVP. And nothing to worry about!

 

[Disney Doll]

Usually, if they find it as a child, it is because the foreamen ovale didn't close. The foramen ovale is an opening in the heart that is used while the baby is in utero, but once the baby is born, it closes within a short time after birth most of the time. If it doesn't close, usually by about age 7, surgery may be required, depending on the size of the opening etc. Often, they just watch them. You are may have to take antibiotics before any dental or other invasive medical procedures, but that's usually the only inconvenience. This, of course, is if the opening is in the atria of the heart. If the opening is in the ventricles of the heart, the treatment may be very different, and may more often require urgery.

Chances are, if they just found the murmur in your MIL, it's something relatively benign.