Overview
Many heart murmurs, especially in children, are harmless (innocent murmurs). Others are caused by heart valve problems or heart defects that need treatment.
Symptoms
- Usually no symptoms with innocent murmurs
- Shortness of breath
- Chest pain or dizziness
- Tiredness
- Poor feeding and weight gain in babies
Causes and risk factors
Causes include normal blood flow in a growing child, fever, anaemia, pregnancy, heart valve disease and heart defects present from birth.
Diagnosis
A doctor listens with a stethoscope. An echocardiogram shows whether there is a structural heart problem.
Treatment
Innocent murmurs need no treatment. Murmurs caused by heart problems are treated according to the cause, which may include medicines, procedures or surgery.
When to see a doctor
See a doctor if a murmur has been found, or if you or your child have breathlessness, chest pain, fainting or poor growth.
This information is for general education and does not replace advice from a qualified doctor. For a medical emergency, call +92-51-8446666 or go to the nearest emergency department.
