heart

How serious is a heart murmur?

[Jeffrey R Boris, M.D.]

Dear Nallely,

A murmur is the term that is used to describe an extra sound created in the heart.  That sound is created by turbulence.  The turbulence can be either normal or abnormal.  Abnormal turbulence signifies a structural defect of some sort in the heart.  Normal turbulence occurs when normal blood flow through the heart and lungs can be heard.  Approximately 2/3 of all children and adolescents have normal, or innocent, murmurs.  A primary care provider should be able to tell whether a murmur is normal or abnormal (innocent or pathologic).  However, if the provider is not able to do that, you may be referred to a cardiologist, who will be able to assess you and determine whether your murmur signifies structural cardiac disease, or not.  Since I know nothing else about your situation, I am not able to tell you what is occurring with your heart specifically, and how serious your murmur really is.