Heart murmurs in childhood are quite common and, in most cases, are not a cause for alarm. But what exactly are they? Should you be concerned if your child is diagnosed with one? Here, we guide you through everything you need to know about heart murmurs to help you better understand them.
What is a Heart Murmur?
Under normal conditions, heart pumps are smooth and silent. However, in some cases, the pediatrician may hear an additional sound when listening to your child’s heart with a stethoscope. This extra sound is called heart murmur and occurs when blood flows irregularly through the heart’s valves or chambers. It can be easily detected with a stethoscope during a physical exam.
Why Do Heart Murmurs Occur?
There are several reasons why someone might develop a heart murmur. Sometimes, it’s simply a normal and benign variation. For example, children and adolescents may have heart murmurs due to the way blood flows through their growing hearts. Similarly, older adults may develop heart murmurs as they age.
However, in other cases, a heart murmur may be a sign of a more serious underlying condition. This could include a defective heart valve, an abnormal communication between the heart’s chambers, or an abnormal increase in blood flow through certain parts of the heart.
What Are the Symptoms of a Heart Murmur in Children?
In most cases, heart murmurs do not cause symptoms. You may not notice anything unusual in your child, and their daily life may not be affected at all. However, in rarer cases where the heart murmur is associated with an underlying heart condition, symptoms such as fatigue, shortness of breath, swelling in the legs, or chest pain may occur.
What Should I Do If My Child Is Diagnosed with a Heart Murmur?
The diagnosis of a heart murmur generally begins with a physical exam in which the doctor listens to the child’s heart with a stethoscope. If a heart murmur is detected, it’s important to remember that it doesn’t necessarily mean there is heart disease.
From this point, it will be important to follow the doctor’s recommendations. This might include additional tests, such as echocardiograms or stress tests, to assess your child’s heart health and determine if there is any underlying condition that requires treatment.
How Is a Heart Murmur Treated?
Benign heart murmurs do not require treatment, as they do not affect the child’s health. However, if the heart murmur is caused by an underlying condition, treatment will likely focus on addressing the root cause, which may involve medication, minimally invasive procedures, or surgery.
Heart murmurs can sound frightening, but in most cases, they are harmless. Nonetheless, it’s important to take any medical diagnosis seriously and follow your healthcare provider’s recommendations. At CreuBlanca Pediatric Cardiology, we care for your child’s heart health. We have top-level professionals and the most advanced technology to achieve an accurate diagnosis and, if necessary, apply a comprehensive and personalized treatment tailored to the child’s needs, so they can enjoy a full and healthy life.