Heart Murmur 20 yrs old

[allieg]

I went to the doctor yesterday for a check up and was told I had a heart murmur. Seeing as I was in a rush yesterday and not really knowing what a heart murmur was, I didn't get to tell my doctor issues that occur sometime throughout the week and after doing a little research on this I wonder if I should call for another check up in the near future. I have anxiety, which my doctor knows this, sometimes I get light headed (standing, sitting, walking, driving, etc.) periodically, my chest will feel uncomfortable and have pain (I do smoke a few times a day though) and often my vains will bulge out, more so and regularly in my legs, and also sometime it feels like my heart has like a frog/rattle sound. My doctor wants to take some blood work to check my cholesterol, etc... So what I'm asking is what really is a heart murmur and what should I do about these other conditions I have and if it's anything to worry about. Thanks.

[line]

I have a heart murmur since birth and and am 69 years old and still have it. Two of my sisters have one also, one sister is 73 and the other 62. I have mild mitral regurgatation and have been told this is the cause but than I have been told there is no cause murmurs can jjust happen. Better to check back in  with your Dr. but I am sure if he/she is a good Dr.they would have done some testing.

Actually I thought mine went away as no one mentioned anything about the murmur for years. i was about 30 and was in the hospital for gall bladder surgery, a cardio checked me before the surgery and heard it, When I told him i thought it went away he said they rarely do. At that time they had to listen under my left breast to hear the murmur, now with aging your heart sounds are louder and any Dr. can hear it.

Linda

[vienna13]

“Heart murmurs can be present at birth (congenital) or develop later in life. A heart murmur isn't a disease — but murmurs may indicate an underlying heart problem.
Most heart murmurs are harmless (innocent) and don't need treatment. Some heart murmurs may require follow-up tests to be sure the murmur isn't caused by a serious underlying heart condition. Treatment, if needed, is directed at the cause of your heart murmurs.”
MAYO CLINIC

I had and both my kids had  murmurs from early childhood. Both of them healthy. I have diagnosed heart condition since I was 53. The heart murmurs never did any problem for us as I know.

Good luck.

[Mamta7]

Hi,

Heart Murmurs usually are the extra sounds heard and may indicate valvular disease.

The heart is divided into 4 chambers and the upper half of the heart is separated from the lower half by valves. Any dysfunction of these valves or the valves of the important artery (Pulmonary artery) or the aorta, can give rise to murmurs
.
The other conditions that you are talking about (bulging of veins in legs) could be due to associated conditions like venous insufficiency (you need to confirm it with your doctor). Your chest pain could be due to various reasons but I assume in this case it might be associated with the heart condition. I would recommend you to get the detail examination done by your doctor.

As far as what you can do as of now is, make an effort to give up smoking and that will help you to keep away from any further damage to you cardiopulmonary system (or rather the whole body system)! To reduce anxiety, I would suggest you to practice meditation on a regular basis. As far as you are not going through panic attacks due to anxiety (you have not mentioned so, so I assume it is the anxiety which is usually experienced by all due to various pressures in life) you shall definitely benefit from meditation and Yoga.

Do let us know about the inferences after you check with your doctor.

Regards,
Mamta