Key Points

• A heart murmur is an extra or unusual sound heart during a heartbeat. Murmurs range from very faint to very loud. They sometimes sound like a whooshing or swishing noise.
• There are two types of heart murmurs: innocent (harmless) and abnormal. A person who has an innocent murmur has a normal heart and usually has no other signs or symptoms of a heart problem. Innocent murmurs are common in healthy children. A person who has an abnormal murmur may have other signs or symptoms of a heart problem.
• A heart murmur is not a disease, and most murmurs are harmless. However, a murmur may be a sign of a heart problem, especially if other signs or symptoms are present.
• Innocent heart murmurs are sounds heard when blood flows through a normal heart. This may happen if blood flows faster than normal through the heart or if there’s extra blood flow through the heart. Changes to the heart that result from heart surgery or aging also may cause some innocent heart murmurs.
• The most common cause of abnormal heart murmurs in children is congenital heart defects. These are problems with the heart’s structure that are present at birth. Infections or other conditions that damage the heart valves or other structures of the heart also may cause abnormal heart murmurs. Heart murmurs due to these problems are more common in adults.
• Some people who have heart murmurs have signs and symptoms of heart problems. These may include a blue coloring of the skin, poor eating and abnormal growth (in infants), shortness of breath, excessive sweating, chest pain, dizziness or fainting, and fatigue (feeling very tired).
• Doctors use a stethoscope to listen to heart sounds and hear heart murmurs. To diagnose a heart murmur, your doctor may do a physical exam, ask about your medical and family histories, and ask about your symptoms. If your doctor suspects that you or your child has an abnormal heart murmur, he or she may order diagnostic tests.
• Many people who have innocent heart murmurs don’t need treatment. In some cases, an innocent heart murmur may be due to an illness or condition. The murmur will go away once the illness or condition is treated. Treatment for abnormal heart murmurs depends on the heart problem causing them. Treatments may include medicine or surgery.
• Innocent heart murmurs don’t cause symptoms or require you to limit physical activity. Although an innocent murmur may be a lifelong condition, your heart is normal and you likely don’t need treatment.
• If you have an abnormal heart murmur, the amount and type of ongoing care and treatment you will need depends on how severe your condition is. Talk to your doctor about the type of care you need.