Conditions
Heart Murmur
A heart murmur is an extra sound heard in your heartbeat, usually only audible over a doctor’s stethoscope. Some can be very quiet whilst others make a swishing noise. Although most are harmless (innocent murmurs), they can also be indicators of a more severe heart problem (abnormal murmurs).
An innocent murmur occurs when blood is moving noisily through a healthy heart. They may be caused by a faster blood flow than usual or by an increased volume of blood passing through the heart. Certain illnesses, such as anaemia or having a fever, can cause the faster blood flow. Innocent murmurs are very common in children and are also often heard in pregnant women.
Abnormal murmurs are often due to congenital heart defects, where parts of the heart or the blood vessels attached to it do not develop properly before birth. Septal defects are holes in the septum, which is the wall separating the right and left sides of the heart. Valve defects can generally be split into valves that are too narrow, or valves that leak due to not closing properly. Hearts and valves can also become damaged or overworked as a result of other illnesses, such as rheumatic fever and heart attacks, or due to ageing.
If a heart murmur is related to another heart problem, other symptoms may be present. These may include blue colouring of the skin, fast breathing, chest pain, dizziness and shortness of breath. A heart murmur will normally be noticed during a physical examination in a routine checkup. There is a grading scale from 1 to 6 which GPs use to measure the volume of a heart murmur, and they also evaluate the pitch, timing, length and location of the sound, both within the heartbeat cycle and in the chest.
If a murmur is thought to be abnormal, a chest x-ray will normally be taken. An electocardiogram is another common test, which measures the heartbeat. Treatment for abnormal murmurs varies according to the individual situation, but may include medicine or surgery. Innocent murmurs do not require treatment as the heart is normal and healthy.
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I am nearly 15 and I have had a heart murmur since I was a baby. I have been experiencing chest pains on my left side but quite high up and feels like sharp stomach pains. They last for about 10 minutes at a time and I have a hot flush during. I've had about 5 in the space of a month and a half and I am currently stressed with exams etc at school. Any ideas? I'm not keen on visiting the doctor as I don't want to worry my family but if necessary then I will. Thanks
my son has very irregular heart rate all the time i took him too the doctor two years ago when he was seven but they made me feel stupid andsaid it's normal for kids his age. i am constantly worried. i work with children with complex needs and have two other children of my own. none of these childrens hearts sound like his. it happens 24\7 and never beats a normal rythem,he also gets woozy quite often and when he gets ill he is knocked for six. he is nine now and wets the bed every night and has recently developed extreme behaviour and emotional outbursts. please help i'm so worried about him.
hi, i have been suffering with anxiety and panic attacks for the last 18 months, i was prescribed fleox but i stopped taking it because i could not function normally. i have since learned to cope with my condition but however, i have been getting bubbling feelings in my chest and it takes my breath, not sure if i should see a dr as i don't want to feel like im wasting there time as i have had chest scans and all sorts. not sure if it is just a part of my condition?? should i be concerned?? thanx stacey 28yrs
I also have this feeling in my heart and I have also put off going to the Drs because i dont want to waste their time. Mine feels sometimes like I have a butterfly flapping in my chest.. feels weird but i have no idea if its serious or not?
Hi I'm 29years Old and for 6 years I have anexity I see so many doctors and everybody give another treatment but nothing see to work now I'm on fluoxetine for 4 month but I no see another different so wath can I do to feel a normal person again
Hi, i'm 21 years of age. I've been getting pain in my chest more or less on the left hand side, in the top of my left arm but sometimes in to my hand aswell, and the pain can be felt in my upper back to the left side aswell. The pain is like i'm being stabbed & heavy. It's not muscle pain as its not sore at all when I move. I've been to my GP who thought it was acid reflex at first but I wasnt convinced. I went back to her after the pain continued. I was referred to a consultant in the cardiac department. Had a heart scan which came back fine, had an ECG which came back with "extra heart beats". The consultant sent me for a exercise stress test. I had to stop after 6 minutes due to discomfort in my chest. I'm awaiting on another appointment with the consultant. I didn't really understand what it means to have "extra beats" to my heart. Can anyone help. Thank you
Ive had this problem for the past few months that is like a suffocating feeling, I'm constantly having to catch my breath and take a deep breath to get a satisfying breath it is really irritating as it is all day every day and have no idea what it is I've found something called air hungar which lists all symptoms I'm having but not sure if it's that and doesn't tell you what you can do to stop it from happening?I'm only 20 years old
my name is ally and i have been having some odd sensations in my chest im 22 and although it doesnt hurt it worries me. it feels like pounding harder than usual it lifts my whole chest its pounding against my rib cage. i hope to hear from someone soon. thanks
I am very concerned for my wife. She started having chest pains and an increased heart rate at rest well in excess of 130 i believe. took her to hospital they stabilised it and when back to normal sent her home. Since then we have been back and forth to the doctors she is not sleeping feeling, of being sick, trouble breathing, struggling to eat, losing weight, complete lack of energy. she has had tests done but they are so slow. she was told yesterday her heart monitor test was showing her heart was fast and irregular and missing up to four beats. She can feel this and is really poorly. We are now waiting for a letter to go to the hospital and come back with an appointment which could be weeks away. i am genuinely concerned something is being missed and this is to late. Again she has not slept all night and has her head in a bucket trying to be sick. this has gone on since xmas. Just to note she is 43 and is generally fit and was jogging just prior to xmas. PLease please i would appreciate help. kevin
You could ask your doctor about Addisons Disease.
hello i wondering if someone could help me i am 43 and i get what feel like a airlock were me heart is the doctor as said it is a twing nerve in my heart but he did no test and information would be greatful as sometime this is painful amd it scare me
hi. i am male 63 and overweight. 4 times in the last 6weeks i have lost the feeling in my legs and fallen to the floor. it only lasts for a few seconds and i am soon back to normal. can you help?
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