A heart murmur is an abnormal sound heard during a heartbeat, often described as a whooshing or swishing noise. This sound is usually detected through a stethoscope during a routine physical exam. While it can be alarming, it is important to understand that heart murmurs are not always a sign of a serious medical condition. In some cases, heart murmurs are harmless and temporary. But can a heart murmur go away? The answer depends on its cause, the type of murmur, and the underlying health of the heart.
Types of Heart Murmurs
There are two primary types of heart murmurs: innocent heart murmurs and abnormal heart murmurs. Understanding the difference between these two is essential in answering whether a heart murmur can go away.
- Innocent Heart Murmurs: These are also called functional or physiologic murmurs. They are common in healthy individuals, especially in children and adolescents, and they are typically harmless. Innocent murmurs do not indicate a heart problem. They often occur when the blood flow is increased through the heart or blood vessels, creating extra turbulence that produces the murmur sound. Innocent heart murmurs are generally not associated with any symptoms, such as chest pain or shortness of breath. In many cases, these murmurs can disappear as a person ages or as the conditions cause the increased blood flow to change.
- Abnormal Heart Murmurs: These are more concerning and can be linked to underlying heart conditions, such as heart valve disease or congenital heart defects. Abnormal murmurs may indicate problems like narrowed heart valves, leaky heart valves, or valvular heart disease. Abnormal murmurs are often associated with chest pain, shortness of breath, and fatigue. These murmurs do not typically go away without treatment, and medical intervention may be necessary to manage the condition.
Causes of Heart Murmurs
The cause of a heart murmur plays a significant role in determining whether it will go away. Below are some of the most common causes of heart murmurs:
- Increased Blood Flow: Innocent heart murmurs often occur when there is an increase in blood flow, such as during pregnancy, exercise, fever, or growth spurts in children. These situations can create turbulent blood flow through the heart, leading to a murmur. In most cases, this type of murmur is temporary and resolves on its own when the underlying cause is addressed.
- Heart Valve Problems: Abnormal heart murmurs are often caused by issues with the heart valves, which control the flow of blood through the heart. The aortic valve and mitral valve are two of the most common valves affected by heart murmurs. Conditions such as aortic stenosis (narrowing of the aortic valve), aortic regurgitation (leaky aortic valve), and mitral valve prolapse can result in abnormal murmurs. If the valve problem is mild, the murmur may remain stable and not require immediate treatment. However, more severe cases of heart valve disease may require surgical intervention, such as open heart surgery or a cardiac catheterization procedure.
- Congenital Heart Defects: Some individuals are born with heart defects, such as congenital heart defects, which can cause abnormal heart murmurs. These defects can involve the heart muscle, the heart valves, or the blood vessels, and depending on their severity, they may require surgical correction. Some congenital murmurs may become less noticeable as the child grows, while others may require ongoing medical management.
- Rheumatic Fever and Rheumatic Heart Disease: Rheumatic fever is an inflammatory disease that can result from untreated strep throat. In some cases, it can damage the heart valves, leading to rheumatic heart disease. This condition can result in valve damage, causing abnormal heart murmurs. Treatment for rheumatic heart disease may include medication to manage symptoms and, in severe cases, surgery to repair or replace damaged valves.
- High Blood Pressure and Overactive Thyroid: Conditions like high blood pressure and an overactive thyroid can lead to changes in blood flow and heart function, potentially causing heart murmurs. These murmurs may persist as long as the underlying condition is not treated. Managing blood pressure and thyroid function through medication or lifestyle changes can help reduce or eliminate the murmur in some cases.
Can an Innocent Heart Murmur Go Away?
Yes, in most cases, an innocent heart murmur can go away. As previously mentioned, innocent murmurs are generally harmless and often result from increased blood flow. In children, these murmurs are common and usually disappear as they grow older and their heart and blood vessels mature. In adults, innocent murmurs can develop in response to temporary factors like pregnancy, fever, or exercise. Once these factors subside, the murmur may disappear.
Can an Abnormal Heart Murmur Go Away?
Abnormal heart murmurs are less likely to go away on their own, especially if structural problems in the heart cause them. For example, valvular heart disease can cause abnormalities in the heart valves, which may require medical or surgical intervention. Aortic stenosis, mitral valve prolapse, and other valve problems may not resolve without treatment. In some cases, medication such as blood thinners may be prescribed to reduce the risk of blood clots, but surgical repair or replacement of the affected valve may be necessary to correct the issue.
Some murmurs caused by heart disease or coronary artery disease can improve with lifestyle changes, medication, or surgical procedures. However, if the underlying heart condition is not treated, the murmur may persist and may even worsen over time.
Diagnosing and Treating Heart Murmurs
To determine whether a heart murmur is innocent or abnormal, a healthcare provider may use a variety of diagnostic tools, including:
- Physical Exam: The healthcare provider will listen to the heart using a stethoscope to detect the presence of a murmur and assess its characteristics (e.g., timing, pitch, and intensity).
- Echocardiogram: This test uses sound waves to create an image of the heart and can help identify problems with the heart valves or the heart muscle.
- Cardiac Catheterization: In some cases, a healthcare provider may recommend cardiac catheterization to assess the blood vessels and heart valves more closely, especially if the cause of the murmur is unclear.
- Electrocardiogram (ECG): An ECG records the electrical activity of the heart and can help detect arrhythmias or other heart problems.
If a heart murmur is caused by an underlying condition, treatment will focus on managing that condition. This may include medication to control high blood pressure, reduce the risk of blood clots, or regulate thyroid function. For more severe cases, surgery may be required to repair or replace a damaged valve, such as the mitral valve or the aortic valve.
When to See a Doctor
If you or your child is diagnosed with a heart murmur, it is important to follow up with a healthcare provider to determine the cause. In many cases, an innocent heart murmur may not require any treatment, but monitoring the condition is still necessary. However, if the murmur is associated with symptoms such as chest pain, shortness of breath, or fatigue, it may indicate a more serious underlying issue that requires prompt medical attention.
A healthcare provider can evaluate your heart health, provide a diagnosis, and recommend the best course of treatment to manage the murmur and any underlying conditions.
Conclusion
A heart murmur can go away, depending on the type and cause. Innocent heart murmurs, which are common and usually harmless, can often resolve independently as the body changes over time. On the other hand, abnormal heart murmurs caused by issues with the heart valves or other cardiovascular problems may require medical intervention to manage. If you have concerns about a heart murmur or notice symptoms like chest pain, shortness of breath, or fatigue, it is important to seek medical advice to ensure proper diagnosis and treatment.
By staying informed and working closely with your healthcare provider, you can maintain a healthy heart and prevent complications related to heart murmurs. Reach out to Dr. Ciuffo and his team for more information.
