Overview

Heart murmurs are extra or unusual sounds made by blood moving through the heart. Murmurs are graded on a scale of 1 to 6, with 1 being very faint and 6 being very loud.

Types of murmurs include:

  • Systolic murmur: A heart murmur that occurs when the heart contracts
  • Diastolic murmur: A heart murmur that occurs when the heart relaxes
  • Continuous murmur: A heart murmur that occurs throughout. the heart cycle

For more information regarding pediatric heart murmur services in St. Louis or to make an appointment, please call 314.454.5437 or 800.678.5437 or email us.

Causes

Heart murmurs are common in normal, healthy children. These may be called innocent murmurs. Or a child may be born with a heart defect that causes a murmur. Other causes include:

  • Infection
  • Fever
  • Low red blood cell count (anemia)
  • Overactive thyroid gland (hyperthyroidism)
  • Heart valve disease

Symptoms

Children with innocent murmurs have no other symptoms except the abnormal heart sounds. A child with a heart murmur caused by a heart problem may have the following symptoms. They vary depending on the problem.

  • Poor feeding, eating, or weight gain
  • Shortness of breath or breathing fast
  • Sweating
  • Chest pain
  • Dizziness or fainting (syncope)
  • Bluish skin, especially of the lips and fingertips
  • Cough
  • Swelling (edema) of the lower legs, ankles, feet, belly (abdomen), liver, or neck veins

The symptoms of heart murmur can be like other health conditions. Make sure your child sees his or her healthcare provider for a diagnosis.

For more information regarding pediatric heart murmurs services in St. Louis or to make an appointment, please call 314.454.5437 or 800.678.5437 or email us.

Diagnosis

The healthcare provider will ask about your child’s symptoms and health history. He or she will give your child a physical exam. During an exam, the provider will listen to your child's heart with a stethoscope. If the provider hears an abnormal sound, he or she may refer you to a pediatric cardiologist. This is a doctor with special training to treat children with heart problems. Tests include:

  • Chest X-ray. An X-ray creates images of the heart and lungs.
  • Electrocardiogram (ECG). This test that measures the electrical activity of the heart.
  • Echocardiography (echo). An exam that uses sound waves (ultrasound) to look at the structure and function of the heart. This is the most important test to find heart murmurs.

Treatment

Treatment will depend on your child’s symptoms, age, and general health. It will also depend on how severe the condition is.

Many heart murmurs are normal, extra sounds in children with strong, healthy hearts. These children don’t need treatment. Some of these heart murmurs may go away on their own.

If the murmur is from a congenital heart defect, treatment may include medicine, procedures, or surgery. If the murmur is from another condition, the heart murmur will usually lessen or go away once the condition is treated.  

Complications

A heart murmur has no complications. But your child may have complications related to the condition causing the heart murmur. A child with a congenital heart defect may have poor growth and development, heart failure, or other serious problems.

When to Call a Healthcare Provider

Call your child's healthcare provider if your child has any symptoms of heart disease such as:

  • Trouble feeding or eating
  • Doesn't gain weight normally
  • Trouble breathing
  • Faintness
  • Rapid breathing or blue lips
  • Blue legs or feet
  • Passing out
  • Tiredness or trouble exercising
  • Chest pain

Key Points

  • Heart murmurs are extra or unusual sounds made by blood moving through the heart.
  • Many heart murmurs are harmless.
  • Some heart murmurs are caused by congenital heart defects or other conditions.
  • The healthcare provider hears a heart murmur when listening to your child's chest with a stethoscope.

Next Steps

Tips to help you get the most from a visit to your child’s healthcare provider:

  • Know the reason for the visit and what you want to happen.
  • Before your visit, write down questions you want answered.
  • At the visit, write down the name of a new diagnosis, and any new medicines, treatments, or tests. Also write down any new instructions your provider gives you for your child.
  • Know why a new medicine or treatment is prescribed and how it will help your child. Also know what the side effects are.
  • Ask if your child’s condition can be treated in other ways.
  • Know why a test or procedure is recommended and what the results could mean.
  • Know what to expect if your child does not take the medicine or have the test or procedure.
  • If your child has a follow-up appointment, write down the date, time, and purpose for that visit.
  • Know how you can contact your child’s provider after office hours. This is important if your child becomes ill and you have questions or need advice.

For more information regarding pediatric heart murmur services in St. Louis or to make an appointment, please call 314.454.5437 or 800.678.5437 or email us.