Heart murmur

If you or your child has a heart murmur, you want to be sure you’re in the right place for care. Aurora Health Care is among the most experienced in the region when it comes to treating heart murmurs and all types of valve disease. We’re also experts in the most advanced minimally invasive procedures that correct these conditions. This means you can recover quicker and get back to doing the family things you love.

What is a heart murmur?

A heart murmur is an unusual noise that comes from abnormal or turbulent blood flow through your heart, usually because a heart valve isn’t working properly. Your doctor can hear this extra noise when listening to your heart with a stethoscope. Instead of the usual “lub-DUB” sound of a heartbeat, a heart with a murmur makes a whooshing, swishing or clicking noise.

Some heart murmurs are harmless or innocent. This type is not a sign of heart disease and doesn't need treatment. Other heart murmurs are abnormal. This type needs further testing to find out what’s causing the murmur and how to treat it.

Heart murmur symptoms

Sometimes a heart murmur doesn’t cause any symptoms. If there are symptoms, you may experience:

• Bluish skin color, especially on your fingers or lips
• Chest pain
• Dizziness or fainting
• Excessive sweating unrelated to temperature or exercise
• Shortness of breath during exertion
• Swelling in your feet, legs or abdomen
• Sudden weight gain
• In children, poor eating and abnormal growth, especially in infants with congenital valve disease

Heart murmur causes

An innocent heart murmur can be caused by anemia, fever, hyperthyroidism or pregnancy. This type of murmur often disappears over time.

An abnormal heart murmur usually is caused by one of two conditions. The first cause of abnormal heart murmur is congenital heart disease, which consists of heart defects that are present at birth. The second possible cause is heart valve disease, which can develop later in life and happens when your heart valve thickens (stenosis) or leaks (regurgitation).

Heart murmur diagnosis

Most times, heart murmurs may not cause serious problems. But if you or your child has symptoms, it’s wise to talk with your doctor to ensure your best health – and peace of mind.

To diagnose a heart murmur, your doctor will start with a thorough physical exam and listen to your heart with a stethoscope. If they hear a heart murmur, they’ll refer you to one of our cardiology experts for a precise diagnosis so you can get started on the right treatment for you.

We may use diagnostic tests such as:

• Radiographic imaging, such as chest X-ray or cardiac MRI to see pictures of your heart
• Echocardiogram, or heart ultrasound, that shows your heart’s size and motion
• Electrocardiogram (EKG) to check your heart’s electrical activity
• Cardiac catheterization, a minimally invasive procedure to see how well your heart is working

Find out more about our heart and vascular testing and diagnosis.

Heart murmur treatment

If you or your child is diagnosed with an abnormal heart murmur, we believe you deserve a tailored treatment plan, one that protects your heart and future health.

Your treatment plan will depend on what’s causing the heart murmur. Your care may include medication or lifestyle changes, like eating a healthy diet.

If your heart requires additional treatment to help your heart valves work better, you’re in the right place. We’re nationally recognized as leading experts in advanced minimally invasive and surgical valve procedures.

We may recommend:

• Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR), where our specialists replace the damaged valve with an artificial valve, using a catheter.
• Valve repair or replacement surgery, where we repair or replace damaged valves with the latest in minimally invasive or open heart surgical procedures.