Heart Murmurs
A murmur represents the sound of the blood flow in the heart and great vessels, that is heard by listening to the chest wall, or the neck. About 70% of babies and children have such a heart murmur documented at some point, more often when they have a viral illness, and the blood flow becomes faster.
What is a Heart murmur?
A murmur represents the sound of the blood flow in the heart and great vessels, that is heard by listening to the chest wall, or the neck. About 70% of babies and children have such a heart murmur documented at some point, more often when they have a viral illness, and the blood flow becomes faster.
Majority of the murmurs just represent blood flow through an otherwise normal heart. This type of murmur is referred to as ‘innocent’, ‘functional’, ‘benign’, ‘flow’, or ‘Stills’ murmur.
Occasionally (more commonly in babies rather than older children), the murmur may be a sign of a heart disease – either a hole in the heart or a valve problem
When to seek medical attention in the presence of a heart murmur:
- Shortness of breath, or persistent cough
- Failure to gain weight (in babies)
- Chest pain, palpitation, or syncope
- Family history of heart disease
- Genetic conditions that can be associated with heart disease
- Presence of congenital or birth defects
- Just the presence of a heart murmur often calls for a cardiac assessment
Further Information
Assessment and Management.
Our Paediatric Cardiology Consultant will take a detailed history and Clinical examination. As part of the clinical assessment, the consultant will organise various investigations such as blood tests, chest x-ray, ECG and Echocardiogram,
Any identified cardiac causes need to be treated by medications and monitored closely.
