Re: Heart Murmur

Posted By CCF CARDIO MD-APS on September 06, 1998 at 21:32:17:

In Reply to: Heart Murmur posted by Pat on September 01, 1998 at 16:38:15:






I am a 45 y/o female with DCM, mitral, aortic, tricuspid regurgitation and mitral annular calcification.  I also have a "mildly thickened" aortic valve.  My question is, at the age of 22 I was diagnosed with a grade II blowing systolic murmur along the left sternal border, which radiates to the neck.  What is making all the noise, and why?  Thanks.



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Dear Pat,
A murmur described as radiating to the neck is usually due to an abnormality at
the aortic valve (as opposed to a murmur that radiates to the axilla or armpit
area which usually indicates an anbnormality of flow at the mitral valve.)  Now
a systolic murmur described in the aortic area is usually due to either a degree
of stenosis or simply thickening of the valve structure.  The thickening causes the
blood to make a blowing like sound as it passes the valve.  You should also know that
regurgitant mitral and tricuspid valves cause a systolic murmur but the mitral usually
has a different area of loudest sound and the tricuspid although it can be hearda
along the left sternal border, does not radiate to the neck as does aortic.  Good Luck.
Information provided in the heart forum is intended for general medical informational
purposes only actual diagnosis and treatment can only be made by your physician(s).