Heart murmurs . . . . need info PLEASE

[BeNJeNWaFFLe]

I have Mitro Valve Prolapse. It was only detected when I was about 17-18. My doctor said I probably have had it since I was a child though. I had an echocardiogram and everything is fine. Its a small murmur and there is nothing to worry about. The only time I have to worry is if I have a dentist appointment. Then I take a lot of antibiotics which unfortunately make me really tired. Other than that I live a normal life. I would run a mile if I could. ( asthma )

 

[Blondie]

My mom was told that I had a "magical heart" aka heart murmur. They told her I'd probably out grow it, and I did.

 

[allie&mattsmom]

I was born with a heart murmur. Later in life, I was diagnosed with MVP (mitral valve prolapse) and had to be pre-medicated before going to the dentist, etc. About 10 years ago, I was told I outgrew the MVP, or it corrected itself, so now I no longer have to be pre-medicated. The doctors can no longer hear my heart murmur either.

 

[Magickndm]

I'm another one who was diagnosed with mitral valve prolapse at a young age. It's nothing dangerous as long as I pre medicate before any "dirty" surgery, such as dental work. I do have to stay away from caffeine since it seems to aggrivate it (makes me feel like my heart is skipping a beat sometimes).
Hopefully this will be something your niece will outgrow. Best wishes.

 

[minkydog]

It is not uncommon for premies to develop minor heart murmurs. It could be that it's been coming & going since birth and the doctors are only now mentioning it. Most of them go away on their own,some have to be corrected with medication, and a few need surgery. I'm sure the doctors will want a ped. cardiologist to do an echo, if it hasn't already been done in the NICU.

Most heart murmurs in young children are benign and don't lead to anything. There are some really serious ones that any doctor(or nurse!) can pick up on examination.Those are the really-obvious-bad-ones. But if this is the first time the parents have heard of it, then I'm sure it's one of the mostly-worrisome-not-life-threatening kind.

 

[floridafam]

My DS had one but they have not been able to detect it since he was around 7.

My Mom said 2 of my brother's were born with them. They both had heart problems later in life-I'm not sure if the murmur played a role in that.

I hope she feels better soon and that she outgrows it.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Most heart murmurs in young children are benign and don't lead to anything. There are some really serious ones that any doctor(or nurse!) can pick up on examination.Those are the really-obvious-bad-ones. But if this is the first time the parents have heard of it, then I'm sure it's one of the mostly-worrisome-not-life-threatening kind.

I know you think this is true but it isn't. I have lived through it and so has my nephew.

 

[Mickey's sunshine]

Again, thank you everyone for your replies.

Autumn is being sent to the childrens hospital on Monday for tests (I am uncertain what kinds) and I will update the thread then. I am relieved on reading your replies as it seems she will still have a normal healthy life ahead of her. She has been through enough already.

 

[minkydog]

I know you think this is true but it isn't. I have lived through it and so has my nephew.

I'm sure your experience was very frightening. However, I stand by my statement. Most severe heart murmurs make themselves known by their various clicks, etc. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to scope some of them--they're that obvious. Others are much more subtle. However, a murmur can develop at any age and can be life-threatening, as you know. I was not trying to minimize your experience. I just didnt' think the OP needed to hear any traumatic stories when she was already upset(and believe me, i could tell some stuff )

 

[The Mystery Machine]

I'm sure your experience was very frightening. However, I stand by my statement. Most severe heart murmurs make themselves known by their various clicks, etc. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to scope some of them--they're that obvious. Others are much more subtle. However, a murmur can develop at any age and can be life-threatening, as you know. I was not trying to minimize your experience. I just didnt' think the OP needed to hear any traumatic stories when she was already upset(and believe me, i could tell some stuff )

You can stand by your statement. I understand, believe me.

My dd had Tetrology of Fallot which was a difficult thing to figure out. Plus other factors at the time.
However I lost faith when my nephew was born with Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome.
Which means NO LEFT HEART.
Give me a break, OK? You mean to tell me that you cannot hear there is no left heart. And yes that is true. Scares me.

But then again I have been through enough specialists, as I am sure you have, to know that it is the parent that is the child's advocate.
And that is the bottom line. You know it is luck, parent intelligence and a good Doctor or hospital to get you through.
Let's face it, some are bad and push parents through. Which is why you should take a newborn to your Ped. Doc right away.

 

[minkydog]

You can stand by your statement. I understand, believe me.

My dd had Tetrology of Fallot which was a difficult thing to figure out. Plus other factors at the time.
However I lost faith when my nephew was born with Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome.
Which means NO LEFT HEART.
Give me a break, OK? You mean to tell me that you cannot hear there is no left heart. And yes that is true. Scares me.

But then again I have been through enough specialists, as I am sure you have, to know that it is the parent that is the child's advocate.
And that is the bottom line. You know it is luck, parent intelligence and a good Doctor or hospital to get you through.
Let's face it, some are bad and push parents through. Which is why you should take a newborn to your Ped. Doc right away.

Wow! That's pretty amazing(and terrifying!) Those are pretty obvious heart defects with some pretty obvious heart sounds. No wonder you feel so strongly about this.

 

[javamom]

Ok I'll chime in as well. Youngest son almost died of congestive heart failure at 10 days of age. You see, since it is so common for newborns to have murmurs, they are often dignosed as innocent or normal murmurs. No one caught my son's condition though they held him an extra day for further observation of his "respiration."
The ER doctor that examined him at 10 days of age, told us to take him home and see our family doctor in the morning... he misread my son's chest xray. I insisted that there was something wrong with my child and I wasn't leaving. About 6 hours later, he nearly flatlined on us. His was not an innocent murmur. He was flown to another hospital and had surgery the next morning. Had I taken him home that night, he would have died by morning.

At our church, another little boy was diagnosed with the same (although not as immediately severe) condition as my son at the age of 3.

My point here, is that there are lots of reasons for murmurs. If you or your child has one that is causing you concern, insist upon an echocardiogram. In the case of a child, preferrbly by a pediatric cardiologist.

I learned to follow my instincts when it comes to medical issues and that doctors can make mistakes too. You have to be your own advocate and definately your child's.


Steph
Mom to a wonderful heart kid

 

[PaulaSue]

The doctor said I had one/it at a check-up one time but that was all I ever heard of it. I mentioned it to the OB and nothing. My bloodpressure was always really good at my many check-ups over the last few years. NO tests or anything.