When to See a Doctor for Heart Murmurs
Contact Doctor Arun in Case You Are Facing the Problem of Heart Murmurs
Heart murmurs are abnormal sounds that occur during the heart’s normal functioning. They can range from innocent or harmless to serious and life-threatening. A heart murmur may be a sign of a problem with one or more of the heart’s valves, or it may indicate other underlying conditions.
Overview
These are basically those sounds that are produced by the blood that flows through various chambers of the heart, valves, or of the blood vessels that are there near the heart. They can be heard with a stethoscope during a routine physical exam. They are categorized as either innocent or abnormal. Innocent heart murmurs are common in children and do not require treatment. Abnormal heart murmurs, on the other hand, may indicate an underlying heart condition.
Symptoms
Heart murmurs may not cause any symptoms, particularly if they are innocent. However, abnormal heart murmurs may cause symptoms such as shortness of breath, chest pain, light-headedness, or fainting. Such symptoms are most likely to appear during physical activities or even at times when the body is at rest.
When to See a Doctor for Heart Murmurs
If you or your child has a heart murmur, it is very crucial to see a doctor. A doctor can determine if the heart murmur is innocent or abnormal and, if necessary, refer you to a cardiologist for further evaluation.
Causes
This can happen by a number of different factors. Among others, the highly prevent and mostly seen to occur causes include the ones that have been given underneath:
- Congenital heart defects
- Rheumatic fever
- Heart valve disease
- Infections
- Conditions that affect the heart muscle
Risk Factors
Certain factors can increase the risk of developing heart murmurs, including the ones given below:
- Age
- Family history of heart disease
- High blood pressure
- High cholesterol
- Smoking
Diagnosis
For the diagnosis, the cardiologist would try and listen to the heart of the patient using a stethoscope. If an abnormal heart murmur is detected, your doctor may order further tests such as an echocardiogram, electrocardiogram (ECG), or chest X-ray to determine the cause.
Treatment
The treatment largely depends basically on the underlying cause(s). Innocent heart murmurs do not require treatment. However, if an abnormal heart murmur is caused by an underlying heart condition, treatment may include medication, surgery, or other interventions.
Contact Doctor Arun in Case You Are Facing the Problem of Heart Murmurs
In conclusion, heart murmurs are abnormal sounds that occur during the heart’s normal functioning. They can range from innocent to serious and may be a sign of an underlying heart condition. If you or your child has a heart murmur, it is important that you immediately come to Doctor Arun and let him determine if further evaluation is needed. Meet the doctor and let him define the right treatment path from your child.
