What is a heart murmur?
A heart murmur is a sound in your heart made by blood flowing through your heart and valves. The blood flow may be turbulent, which causes a blowing or whooshing sound your doctor can hear when they listen to your heart with a stethoscope.
Heart murmurs are common in babies and young children but can occur at any age. They can happen for many reasons, and not all are serious. Sometimes, though, a heart murmur can be a sign of a problem, such as a birth defect or an issue with your heart muscle or valves.
Types of heart murmurs
Heart murmurs can be divided into “innocent” (or normal) murmurs and murmurs related to heart problems, sometimes called abnormal or non-innocent heart murmurs.
Innocent heart murmurs are not a cause for concern and typically don’t need to be treated. They can be related to factors such as pregnancy, exercise or a child’s growth.
Heart murmurs that suggest a health issue are usually defined based on when the sound is heard:
- Systolic murmur: This murmur occurs when your heart is pumping blood to the rest of your body.
- Diastolic murmur: This murmur occurs when your heart muscle relaxes to fill up with blood. It’s often a sign of a heart valve issue.
- Continuous murmur: This murmur occurs during your heart’s entire beat, when it’s pumping blood and when it’s relaxing.
Heart murmur symptoms
Heart murmurs generally do not cause symptoms if they’re innocent. Many conditions can cause heart murmurs, so symptoms can vary, but might include:
- Blueness in face (in babies)
- Chest pain (angina)
- Difficulty during exercise or physical activity
- Difficulty feeding (in babies and young children)
- Dizziness
- Excessive sweating while sitting or during gentle physical activity
- Failure to thrive (in babies and children)
- Fainting
- Feeling lightheaded
- Persistent cough
- Rapid heartbeat or heart palpitations
- Shortness of breath
- Swelling in arms, legs or belly
- Tiredness or fatigue
When to see a doctor
See a doctor if you experience symptoms that concern you.
You likely won’t be able to hear a heart murmur in yourself or your child. Doctors usually find them when listening to your heart through a stethoscope. Heart conditions can be serious, and early diagnosis and treatment are essential.
What causes a heart murmur?
Heart murmurs are caused by changes in your blood flow pattern or the function of your heart. Children often have innocent murmurs when their blood flows faster than normal due to exercise, growth spurts or other reasons. Adults can also be diagnosed with innocent murmurs.
Abnormal, or non-innocent, heart murmurs in adults are usually caused by heart diseases, while non-innocent heart murmurs in children may be caused by congenital heart defects. Heart murmurs can also develop from other health conditions, such as:
- Anemia: A condition in which you have low red blood cell counts, anemia makes your blood less viscous, meaning it flows faster.
- Congenital heart defects: These can affect the heart’s ability to pump, cause extra blood flow or allow blood to flow backward.
- Endocarditis: This is an infection in the lining of your heart that can damage your heart valves.
- Heart valve disease: Your heart’s four valves keep blood flowing in one direction. Valves may narrow (stenosis) or not close completely, allowing blood to flow backward (regurgitation).
- Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy: This is a serious condition where part of your heart muscle becomes thickened, affecting normal blood flow.
- Overactive thyroid: If your body produces too much thyroid hormone, this can increase your heart rate.
Heart murmur risk factors
Your risk of developing a heart murmur increases if you have any of the conditions known to cause murmurs. Additional factors that increase your or a child’s risk of developing a murmur include:
Age
Murmurs are common in the first year of life and during childhood. They often go away by age 14.
Family history
You have a higher risk if you have a family history of conditions that cause heart murmurs.
Pregnancy complications
Uncontrolled diabetes, rubella infection, certain medications and misusing drugs or alcohol during pregnancy can increase a baby’s risk of a heart murmur.
How is a heart murmur diagnosed?
Learning you have a heart murmur and whether it’s related to another health condition allows you to seek treatment for the underlying cause before the condition causes long-term problems.
Your doctor might hear a murmur when they listen to your or your child’s heartbeat with a stethoscope during a routine physical examination. If they think your murmur is a sign of underlying problems, they’ll order other tests that give them more information about your heart health.
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Medical history and exam
Your doctor will ask you about your symptoms, medical history and family history.
Heart murmurs can be graded on a scale from one to six, depending on intensity. Your doctor will listen to your heart by putting a stethoscope on different parts of your chest and may try to identify its location, what it sounds like (high or low pitched, for example), and when it occurs during your heartbeat. This information may help them find a possible cause.
Your doctor might also ask you to squat, stand, hold your breath or grip something while they listen to your heart.
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Imaging and tests
Your doctor will likely order tests if they are concerned about a heart murmur.
- Chest X-ray: An X-ray shows the location, size and shape of your heart, lungs and blood vessels, but it does not show the inside structures of your heart.
- Echocardiogram: Sound waves are used to create a detailed picture of your heart and, in some cases, blood flow.
- Electrocardiogram (ECG): This measures your heart’s electrical activity. It can look at your heart’s rate and rhythm and help diagnose damage to your heart muscle that may be causing a murmur.
- Cardiac catheterization: This test uses thin tubes (catheters) in your arteries to measure blood pressure and heart flow. It can confirm a diagnosis if other tests and scans are unclear.
Heart murmur treatments
An innocent heart murmur does not need treatment and normally goes away on its own. When treating non-innocent murmurs, doctors focus on the underlying cause. Because many different conditions can cause heart murmurs, your treatment will be tailored to your diagnosis.
Some heart conditions benefit from medication alone, while others need cardiac catheterization or surgery to limit their impact on your or your child’s health and well-being.
Medication
Medication can treat an underlying cause or control conditions, such as high blood pressure, that can worsen a heart murmur. Your doctor may also prescribe medication to address a possible complication, such as heart failure or arrhythmia, or an underlying cause.
Your doctor may recommend:
- Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and angiotensin II receptor blockers: These medicines work by opening your blood vessels and lowering your blood pressure, making it easier for your heart to pump blood.
- Antiarrhythmic medications: These help restore your heart’s normal pumping rhythm.
- Beta blockers: These slow your heart rate, reducing the strain on your heart.
- Blood thinners: Faulty heart valves can increase your chance of dangerous blood clots linked to strokes. Blood thinners reduce this risk.
- Diuretics: These drugs help your body get rid of excess fluid, lessening your heart’s workload.
- Vasodilators: Vasodilators open and relax your blood vessels, making it easier to pump blood around your body.
Surgery
If you or your child has a heart problem, your doctor might recommend surgery or another procedure.
Surgery for birth defects often takes place in the early weeks to months of a baby’s life. While this can be very worrying for parents, most children make a full recovery and go on to live healthy, active lives.
Heart surgeries for conditions that cause murmurs include:
- Implanted devices: Implantable pacemakers or defibrillators can treat an arrhythmia or hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.
- Congenital defect surgery: Your child might need surgery to repair a hole in their heart, such as a ventricular or atrial septal defect, close a patent ductus arteriosus or resolve problems with blood vessels.
- Heart valve repair or replacement surgery: Various surgical procedures can repair or replace a damaged heart valve. Doctors increasingly can perform many of these surgeries with minimally invasive or robotic techniques or, in some cases, cardiac catheterization.
Find specialized care for heart murmurs
At Baylor Scott & White, we have multiple locations across North and Central Texas to provide you with access to expert cardiology care. Our specialized cardiovascular centers are designed to meet the unique needs of people who have been diagnosed with a heart murmur. Whether you're seeking diagnostic testing, treatment options or need ongoing support, our teams are here to help you.
AccentCare - Fort Worth
3880 Hulen St , Fort Worth, TX, 76107
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Heart Care - Idabel, OK
4 SE Avenue A , Idabel, OK, 74745
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Heart Care - Mt Pleasant (Satellite)
1011 N Jefferson Ave , Mt Pleasant, TX, 75455
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Heart Care - Paris
875 S Collegiate Dr , Paris, TX, 75462
Baylor Scott & White Cardiac Surgery - Longview
906 Judson Rd , Longview, TX, 75601
Baylor Scott & White Liver Consultants of Texas - Longview
906 Judson Rd , Longview, TX, 75601
- Monday: 8:30 am - 4:30 pm
- Tuesday: 8:30 am - 4:30 pm
- Wednesday: 8:30 am - 4:30 pm
- Thursday: 8:30 am - 4:30 pm
- Friday: 8:30 am - 4:30 pm
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Heart Failure Clinic - Longview
906 Judson Rd , Longview, TX, 75601
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Heart Care - Sulphur Springs
601 Airport Rd Ste 110, Sulphur Springs, TX, 75482
Baylor Scott & White North Texas Colon and Rectal Associates - Sulphur Springs
601 Airport Rd Ste 110, Sulphur Springs, TX, 75482
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Heart Failure Clinic - Tyler
1321 S Beckham Ave , Tyler, TX, 75701
Baylor Scott & White Center for Advanced Surgery - Tyler
1321 S Beckham Ave , Tyler, TX, 75701
Baylor Scott & White Liver Consultants of Texas - Tyler
1321 S Beckham Ave , Tyler, TX, 75701
Baylor Scott & White North Texas Colon and Rectal Associates - Tyler
1321 S Beckham Ave , Tyler, TX, 75701
Baylor Scott & White Center for Thoracic Surgery - Tyler
1321 S Beckham Ave , Tyler, TX, 75702
Baylor Scott & White Cardiac Surgery - Tyler
1321 S Beckham Ave , Tyler, TX, 75701
Touchstone Imaging Tyler
2019 Old Troup Hwy , Tyler, TX, 75701
Baylor Scott & White Texas Spine & Joint Hospital
1814 Roseland Blvd Ste 100, Tyler, TX, 75701
Glen Oaks Hospital
301 Division St , Greenville, TX, 75401
Baylor Scott & White Surgical Hospital - Sherman
3601 N Calais St , Sherman, TX, 75090
Baylor Scott & White Urgent Care+ Sherman
4028 N Hwy 75 , Sherman, TX, 75090
- Monday: 8:00 am - 8:00 pm
- Tuesday: 8:00 am - 8:00 pm
- Wednesday: 8:00 am - 8:00 pm
- Thursday: 8:00 am - 8:00 pm
- Friday: 8:00 am - 8:00 pm
- Saturday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Sunday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Baylor Scott & White Texas Spine & Joint Hospital Urgent Care - Tyler
8101 S Broadway Ave , Tyler, TX, 75703
- Monday: 8:00 am - 8:00 pm
- Tuesday: 8:00 am - 8:00 pm
- Wednesday: 8:00 am - 8:00 pm
- Thursday: 8:00 am - 8:00 pm
- Friday: 8:00 am - 8:00 pm
- Saturday: 8:00 am - 6:00 pm
Baylor Scott & White Cardiology Consultants of Texas - Greenville
4400 Interstate 30 W Ste 300, Greenville, TX, 75402
- Monday: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
- Tuesday: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
- Wednesday: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
- Thursday: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
- Friday: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
Baylor Scott & White Primary Care Associates Pediatrics - Greenville
4400 Interstate 30 W Ste 110, Greenville, TX, 75402
- Monday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Tuesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Wednesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Thursday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Friday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Baylor Scott & White Gastroenterology - Greenville
4400 Interstate 30 W Ste 300, Greenville, TX, 75402
Baylor Scott & White Orthopedic Associates of Dallas - Greenville
4400 Interstate 30 W Ste 300, Greenville, TX, 75402
Baylor Scott & White Imaging Center - Greenville
4400 Interstate 30 W Ste 200, Greenville, TX, 75402
- Monday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Tuesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Wednesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Thursday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Friday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Baylor Scott & White Outpatient Rehabilitation - Greenville
4400 Interstate 30 W Ste 120, Greenville, TX, 75402
- Monday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Tuesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Wednesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Thursday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Friday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Baylor Scott & White Primary Care Associates - Greenville
4400 Interstate 30 W Ste 100, Greenville, TX, 75402
- Monday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Tuesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Wednesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Thursday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Friday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Baylor Scott & White Endoscopy Center - Sherman
1615 US-75 Ste B, Sherman, TX, 75090
Sherman Endoscopy Center
1615 N Hwy 75 , Sherman, TX, 75090
Baylor Scott & White Women's Care & Continence Center - Sherman
260 E Evergreen St , Sherman, TX, 75090
- Monday: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
- Tuesday: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
- Wednesday: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
- Thursday: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
- Friday: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Heart Care - Sherman Sycamore (Satellite)
203 E Sycamore St , Sherman, TX, 75090
Baylor Scott & White The Heart Group - Sherman
230 E Sycamore St Ste 205, Sherman, TX, 75090
Baylor Scott & White Arrhythmia Management - Sherman
230 E Sycamore St Ste 205, Sherman, TX, 75090
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Heart Care – Sherman Highland (Satellite)
300 N Highland Ave , Sherman, TX, 75092
Baylor Scott & White Digestive Diseases Group - Sherman
204 Medical Dr Ste 240, Sherman, TX, 75092
Baylor Scott & White Primary Care - Van Alstyne
250 N Collin McKinney Pkwy , Van Alstyne, TX, 75495
- Monday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Tuesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Wednesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Thursday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Friday: 8:00 am - 4:00 pm
Baylor Scott & White Institute for Rehabilitation - Anna
601 S. Ferguson Pkwy Ste 100, Anna, TX, 75409
Baylor Scott & White Institute for Rehabilitation - Royse City
594 W Interstate 30 , Royse City, TX, 75189
- Monday: 7:00 am - 7:00 pm
- Tuesday: 7:00 am - 7:00 pm
- Wednesday: 7:00 am - 7:00 pm
- Thursday: 7:00 am - 7:00 pm
- Friday: 7:00 am - 7:00 pm
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Heart Care - Anna
450 N Standridge Blvd , Anna, TX, 75409
Baylor Scott & White Digestive Diseases Group - Anna
450 N Standridge Blvd Ste 104, Anna, TX, 75409
Baylor Scott & White Texas Cardiac Associates - Royse City
6257 FM 2642 Blvd Ste 100, Royse City, TX, 75189
Baylor Scott & White Primary Care Associates - Royse City
6257 FM 2642 Blvd Ste 100, Royse City, TX, 75189
- Monday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Tuesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Wednesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Thursday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Friday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Baylor Scott & White Surgical Institute - Royse City
6257 FM 2642 Blvd Ste 100, Royse City, TX, 75189
- Monday: 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Tuesday: 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Wednesday: 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Thursday: 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Friday: 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
Baylor Scott & White Institute for Rehabilitation - McKinney Red Bud
1705 W University Dr Ste 119, McKinney, TX, 75069
Baylor Scott & White Institute For Rehabilitation - McKinney Lake Forest
1705 W University Dr Ste 119, McKinney, TX, 75069
Baylor Scott & White Institute For Rehabilitation - McKinney University
1705 W University Dr Ste 119, McKinney, TX, 75069
Heritage Eye Center
1501 Redbud Blvd , McKinney, TX, 75069
Baylor Scott & White The Heart Hospital - McKinney
5268 W University Dr , McKinney, TX, 75071
The Laser Surgery Center, LLC
2600 W University Dr Ste 200, McKinney, TX, 75071
Frequently asked questions
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When should I worry about a heart murmur?
Heart murmurs can be concerning if they occur with other symptoms, such as chest pain, shortness of breath or fatigue. You should see your doctor if you have these symptoms.
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Can you die from a heart murmur?
A heart murmur can be a sign of a more serious condition that can have severe and sometimes life-threatening complications. If not treated, some heart valve diseases can lead to heart failure, stroke, blood clots or death due to cardiac arrest.
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What does a heart murmur feel like?
You may not be able to feel a heart murmur. Innocent heart murmurs will not have symptoms. Heart murmurs caused by another condition can have a variety of symptoms, such as chest pain, shortness of breath and feeling extremely tired. Always consult with your doctor if you experience unusual symptoms.
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What does a heart murmur sound like?
A heart murmur can sound like a whooshing, blowing or rasping sound between heartbeats. This is in addition to the normal, steady “lub dub” sound of your heart beating. It is best heard with a stethoscope.
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Do heart murmurs go away?
Innocent heart murmurs usually go away on their own. Non-innocent heart murmurs may go away if the condition causing them is treated.
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What should you avoid with a heart murmur
If you have an innocent heart murmur, you do not need to make any changes to your lifestyle. If your heart murmur is caused by a heart condition, your doctor’s advice will depend on the underlying cause.