What do you know about heart murmurs

[CamColt]

I'll take the good and the bad.
Thanks!

 

[wdwoldtimer]

It's basically an abnormality in the way the heart sounds as it pumps. Typically this is due to a valve problem resulting in a whooshing sound because it either does not close all the way and blood leaks back or because it doesn't open all the way causing sound.

 

[luvwinnie]

Depends on the cause. I have a mitral valve prolapse with mild regurgitation and thickening. I have to take antibiotics during any procedures, including dental cleaning. I've had several episodes of tachycardia. I get echos done yearly.

 

[JVL1018]

My son has a heart murmur and had a hole in his heart(repaired this past October)..actually I'm not quite sure if his murmur went away now that he no longer has a hole,..regardless the cardiologist told me that the murmur itself means nothing bad, will not cause him any issues, will not stop him from doing anything at all.
If you have other issues causing the murmur that's another story.
My son does need to take antibiotics if he has dental work done, but as of April 12, 6 months from his procedure he will no longer have to.

 

[SC Minnie]

I have one and have not had any health problems. Some doctors mention it and some don't. One sent me to have an EKG before he would do surgery. Everything was fine and I had the surgery without any addition medications.

 

[mickeyboat]

I had one as an infant. The doctors did not feel it would resolve itself, but it did. I had a full cardio work-up right after I graduated from high school, and they said I was fine.

Denae

 

[Claudia Kellenberger]

I have always had 3 heart murmurs, all which leak a tiny bit of blood. I also have a small sized hole in my heart. I'm OK. I've made it to 52 years old.

I do have to have the antibiotics with all dental work. I get the echocardiogram about every 2 years or so. For minor surgery, it was requested that I under-go a complete cardio check-up to make sure I could do the general anesthesia.

All of my life, though, I tended to get a tiny bit more tired than most people of my age group. I just had to pace myself and rest when I was tired.
Larger groups of activities was more difficult because I really tried to keep up with the rest of the gang, and got too tired. I prefer smaller groups.

Otherwise - I'm pretty much normal.

 

[Lizzy Lemon]

My son has had a murmur from birth and also narrowing of the arterty following surgery at birth. The doctor said the murmur was nothing to worry about and as he approaches his 13th birthday in May you would certainly not know anything is wrong with his heart.

 

[CamColt]

Thanks for the info everyone! Sounds like it's not a big deal.

I was diagnosed with one today. They gave me an EKG right then, but I have to go back for the echocardiogram in 2 weeks. UGH! Nothing like waiting to torture me.

I have one and have not had any health problems. Some doctors mention it and some don't. One sent me to have an EKG before he would do surgery. Everything was fine and I had the surgery without any addition medications.

Was this surgery because of your heart murmur, or was it was something else? I'm thinking you meant something else, but wanted to be sure.

The doctor did down play it and say it's probably nothing big, but I know doctors have a habit of saying that (and I hate it!). Ive heard it once with each of my kids and each time they ended up needing surgery. So I would rather know the worst possible scenario, and be happy when its not that, than to be shocked when "its probably nothing" turns into something.