Cardiac murmur

Cardiac Murmur

A cardiac murmur is an abnormal sound heard during the heartbeat cycle, such as whooshing or swishing, made by turbulent blood in or near the heart. These sounds are usually evaluated through a process known as auscultation.

Causes

Cardiac murmurs are often the result of certain diseases and conditions, which may include congenital heart disease, heart valve disease, or cardiomyopathy. They can also be caused by conditions resulting in increased blood flow in the heart, such as pregnancy, fever, or anemia.

Types

Cardiac murmurs can be classified into different types based on their timing, namely systolic or diastolic. Systolic murmurs occur during heart muscle contraction, or systole, while diastolic murmurs occur during heart muscle relaxation, or diastole.

Diagnosis

The diagnosis of a cardiac murmur is typically made by a healthcare provider who listens to the heart with a stethoscope. Further diagnostic tests may include an echocardiogram, electrocardiogram, or cardiac catheterization.

Treatment

The treatment of cardiac murmurs depends on the underlying cause. Some murmurs, such as those caused by heart valve disease, may require surgery. Others, such as those caused by congenital heart disease, may require medication or lifestyle changes.

See also

• Heart sounds
• Heart disease
• Cardiology

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