There are two main types of heart murmurs: innocent murmurs and abnormal murmurs. Innocent murmurs are common in children and caused by rapid heart development, exercise, or pregnancy. They often disappear over time. Abnormal murmurs can be congenital or develop later in life due to conditions like heart valve abnormalities, septal defects, rheumatic fever, or infections. Symptoms of abnormal murmurs may include shortness of breath, swelling, or fainting. If you think you have a murmur, see a doctor who can listen to your heart sounds and determine the type and severity using specialized diagnostic software.

1. What they are, the different
types and what you should do if
you believe you may have one.
Heart murmurs- what you need
to know

2. What are heart murmurs?
A normal heartbeat will make a ‘lubb-dupp’ sound. This is what your
heart valves sound like when opening and closing.
Heart murmurs are abnormal sounds during your heartbeat cycle. It can
sound like a whooshing or swishing. This is blood near or in your heart.
• Heart murmurs can be present at birth (congenital) or develop later
in life. A heart murmur isn't a disease, it is a condition — but
murmurs may indicate an underlying heart problem.
• Often people have harmless heart murmurs with no symptoms and
that do not need treatment.
• A doctor will listen with an electronic stethoscope to determine
whether someone has a heart murmur and how severe it is.

3. The different types of heart murmurs
• There are two-1. the innocent and 2. the abnormal.
• 1. This is where blood flows rapidly into the heart and is caused by
exercise, pregnancy, fever, anemia or a hyperthyroid.
• 60% of small children have heart murmurs that are caused by their
rapid development and often they disappear.
• 2. babies are sometimes born with this type of murmur AKA a
congenital heart defect. There are 2 types.
• Holes in the chambers of the heart are called septal defects and
depending on the size and location, they differ in severity. This
creates abnormal blood flow.
• Heart valve abnormalities are often not discovered until later in a
person’s life. Valves can be abnormal when they do not close
properly and leak blood or where they don’t allow enough blood
through them.

4. This table depicts the different types of heart murmurs and
their severity. When a valve allows too much blood out it is
called “Regurgitation.” When a valve does not allow enough
blood out, it is called “stenosis.”

5. HEART MURMURS CAUSED BY
CONDITIONS
Abnormal heart murmurs, can also be caused by illnesses and
conditions, especially later in life.
• Untreated rheumatic fever can cause valves to weaken and cause
murmurs.
• Endocarditis is an infection that inflames the heart valves and
walls. This is caused by bacteria entering the body. It normally
affects those who are already suffering from heart conditions.
• Valves can harden or thicken. This is called valve calcification and
can cause valves to narrow (stenosis) and cause murmurs.

6. Your medical history determines whether you are at risk of
a heart murmur. Several factors may contribute to you
developing one later in life such as:
• Hypertension
• A history of rheumatic fever
• Undergoing any radiation treatment
• Previous suffering of endocarditis or heart attack
• Pulmonary hypertension
• Weak heart muscle, called cardiomyopathy

7. The symptoms of an abnormal heart
murmur:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Shortness of breath
Swelling or weight gain
Skin becoming blue, particularly the fingertips and lips
Chronic coughing
Enlarged liver
Enlarged neck veins
Heavy sweating even when not exercising intensely
Chest pain
Dizziness
Fainting

8. If you think you or your loved one may have a heart
murmur, make sure you know the following:
• Any medications used
• Knowledge of your diet and exercise habits
• Family medical history
• Any symptoms that have occurred.

9. Never fear, SensiCardiac Diacoustic Medical Software is the leader
in detecting all heart murmurs efficiently & accurately. All your
doctor has to do is place a stethoscope to your chest, record the
sounds and download them into their laptop or tablet and it is now
even available on iPhone.
This means no pain, no discomfort and peace of mind. Always
make sure your doctor or specialist diagnoses you using
SensiCardiac software.

10. Image credit
• carsontahoe.wordpress.com
• video.ee.ntu.edu.tw
• www.medicalappjournal.com