Concerned about Murmur

[Julie]

I am a nineteen year-old female. Early in my childhood I was diagnosed with a heart murmur. Approximately two years ago I was told that I had outgrown the murmur. Since then, I have been to three different Dr.s and have asked every time if they hear a murmur. All have responded negative. Just recently, I was told that the heart murmur has appeared again. Do you have any idea what the problem could be? How concerned should I be?

Here is some information that could be benificial:
*I have just recently recovered from having mono.
*In '91 I did see a cardiac specialist and the murmur was diagnosed as innocent. (They took a chest x-ray and an EKG)
*My grandfather on my mother's side had a degenerative heart disease that was complicated by Diabetes. His aortic valve disintegrated too far for the repair to be effective.
*My grandmother on my father's side has Wolfe White Parkenson's Disease.

Any information that you could provide would be greatly appreciated.

[Cleveland Clinic, MD]

A heart murmur may be innocent or indicate some backwards blood leakage in the heart.  Often times the difference can be made on physical exam.  If there is still a question after physical exam an echocardiogram is teh definative test to determine the cause.  You doctor can tell you if it would be worthwhile to get an echo in your case.

[Fred Michelson]

Happy New Year Julie, I am 45 years old and your situation sounds like mine did.  Just recently I had a physical and my EKG came out abnormal.  I had an echocardiogram and had quite a bit of regurgitation(backwards blood leakage into the heart).  My "heart murmur" would disappear and reappear throughout my younger years.  I have been diagnosed with a bicuspid valve instead of a tricuspid valve and require surgery in the near future.  My father died of a heart attack at age 55, so heart problems run on his side of the family.  

I have lived a completely normal life, very active (golf, basketball, baseball, etc).  The heart condition has never effected anything that I have wanted to do.  

If you feel uneasy about your condition, follow the doctor's advice and get an echo.  Good luck!

Fred

[Julie]

Thank you for your advice.

I did have an Echo and the results were as follows:
Mitral valve prolaps +1
Tricuspid valve regurigitation +1

I am relieved to know the problem. However, I was a little concered that my doctor did not send me to a cardiologist and they did not ask for any family history.

I have decided to slow down my life's pace until I am able to get a second opinion.

[Barbara]

On  February 7, 2000, at a visit to my family physician 2 weeks post-hospitalization for erisipalas in my right arm (18 yr post modified radical mastectomy), I was diagnosed with a heart murmur, and was asked how long I had had the murmur.  I had never been told of this before, even though I had a complete physical exam by an internist in June of 1999, and was examined by my oncologist who also listened to my heart,  December, 1999.

As a result of the diagnosis, I received an echocardiogram on February 8, and the verdict was "a slight leaking valve with a strong heartbeat.  No further followup necessary at this time."
Do you think I should obtain a second opinion by a cardiologist?
My father had 3 heart attacks and multiple strokes, and was deceased at age 82 of stroke.

[Sheryl Arehart]

I am a 47 year old in good health female.  Only while sitting and quiet,  I am having strange like heart beats that makes me cough a little and it feels like one of the beats is a little painful kind of flutters or something. Probably coincidence but it stopped upon relaxing and taking an aspirin.  Seems to be practically every day now. Sounds strange and hard to explain.  I have discomfort when i breath deep under the ribcage and thru my back when i breath deep. Right side under my bra area. I feel this is gas and do pass  gas for the past month.  Could this be something like gas or  obviously not the heart beating thing or just anxiety?  Dont like to go to Dr. unless it is important enough to warrant his time and also on a tight budget.  Blood pressure is fine. And can work outside like a man with no problem.  Thank you for your time

[Tricia Romine]

Hi there i have the same problem now and then in spirts for years i have had flutters in my heart with the need to cough. I was just recently diagnosed with a slight heart murmer. If i were you i would see your physician. I still haven't told mine about my flutter and the need to cough but he found the murmer without me even mentioning it. I am only 26 yr. old. I am very active and have had bouts of palpitaions from time to time. I too would like to know what causes them.~~Tricia~~

[Newfie bullet]

I was dianosed years ago as having a murmur. Ekg results were fine. Recently I needed a medical approval to take an offshore survival training course. They once again heard the murmur and decided to send me for an echo. Well now I am scheduled for an aortic valve and aorta replacement very soon. I am told they are huge along with my left ventricle. Never had a symptom at all. In my experience a murmur is not innocent until an echo says otherwise. In my estimation, 12 doctors over my life to this point have told me it was nothing. Good thing this new guy decided to send me for the echo.

[janet]

I AM A 40 YEAR OLD FEMALE DIABETIC.  i TAKE 4 SHOTS OF INSULIN A DAY.  I ALSO HAVE IBS AND GERD ALONG WITH DIABETIC NEUROPATHY.  I WAS HOSPITALIZED LAST APRIL WITH PNEUMONIA AND AT THAT TIME MY DOCTOR TOLD ME THAT I HAVE A HEART MURMUR.  MY DAD DIED THREE YEARS AGO OF A MASSIVE HEART ATTACK.  MY OLDER SISTER HAS KNOWN OF HER HEART MURMUR FOR YEARS NOW.  I HAVE NEVER BEEN DIAGNOSED WITH ANY KIND OF HEART PROBLEMS BEFORE NOW.  I HAVE OCCASIONAL EPISODED OF CHEST PAIN AND I CAN FEEL MY HEART RACE NOW AND THEN.  I DON'T KNOW HOW CONCERNED I SHOULD BE ABOUT THIS MURMUR.  NO CARDIAC TESTS HAVE BEEN ORDERED.  THAT CONCERNS ME BECAUSE OF MY DIABETIC HISTORY. ALSO, MY LAST PRE-OPERATIVE EKG SHOWED A SLIGHTLY ABNORMAL EKG.  SHOULD I ASK MY DOCTOR IF I NEED CARDIAC FOLLOW-UP?