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Heart Murmurs: What Are They and How Do I Know I Have Them?
Around 10% of adults and up to 45% of children have heart murmurs. While this condition is common, finding out you have one can be overwhelming.
At Advanced Cardiovascular Care, Inc., in Riverside, California, Dr. Syed W. Bokhari provides expert care for heart murmurs using minimally invasive procedures.
Understanding what a heart murmur is and how it affects you can help demystify the condition and alleviate your concerns.
Heart murmur: An unexpected ‘swooshing’ noise
Blood moving through your heart makes a telltale “lub-dub” noise. That’s the sound of your heart beating. A heart murmur is sometimes hard to detect just by listening to your heart through your chest, but it’s essentially an extra sound mixed in with your heartbeat.
That happens when blood flows more turbulently than usual through your heart or nearby blood vessels. Some murmurs are harmless, but others could signal an underlying heart issue that needs attention. That’s why having your heart checked by a professional is critical.
What could a heart murmur mean?
A heart murmur can mean different things depending on its cause. In many cases, it’s completely harmless, what doctors call an innocent murmur. These are common, especially in children. They usually don’t require treatment and resolve on their own.
However, some murmurs can point to underlying heart conditions, such as:
- Valve problems such as tight (aortic stenosis), or leaky (mitral regurgitation) valves
- Congenital heart defects like a hole in the heart wall such as PFO, ASD or VSD
- Infections of the heart valves (Endocarditis)
- Anemia (Low hemoglobin)
- Other causes like hyperthyroidism, Lupus, fever, etc
If Dr. Bokhari detects a murmur, he likely recommends further tests, like an echocardiogram, to figure out what’s causing it and whether you need treatment.
How to tell if you have a heart murmur
You might not realize you have a heart murmur since most don’t cause noticeable symptoms. If you do experience symptoms, they’re likely mild and can include:
- Chest pain
- Shortness of breath
- Fluttering or rapid heartbeat
- Swelling (legs, feet, ankles, or abdomen)
These are all signs of heart strain. A thorough exam with Dr. Bokhari is crucial to evaluate your symptoms and determine whether you have a heart murmur.
So you have a heart murmur — what now?
If Dr. Bokhari diagnoses a heart murmur, the next steps depend on the cause and severity. He begins by evaluating whether your murmur is harmless or linked to an underlying condition. An innocent murmur may not need any treatment, just regular monitoring during checkups.
However, if your murmur results from a structural heart issue, such as valve problems like aortic stenosis or mitral regurgitation, treatment may be necessary. Dr. Bokhari specializes in minimally invasive procedures like Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR) and Transcatheter Edge to Edge Repair (TEER) of the mitral valve with a Mitraclip to repair or replace the damaged heart valves.
What to expect during TAVR or TEER
TAVR avoids the need for open heart surgery. It’s a safe option for patients at higher surgical risk.
During a TAVR or TEER procedure, Dr. Bokhari guides a catheter through a blood vessel in your leg (most common route) or the neck to reach the heart valve.
In TAVR, he then replaces the damaged aortic valve with a new one, either using a self-expanding valve or an expanding balloon to position it securely.
In TEER, he crosses from the right side of the heart to the left after creating a tiny hole and then places a clip in the mitral valve to repair the damaged valve.
Recovery usually involves just an overnight hospital stay, and most patients can return to normal activities in a few days as opposed to weeks of hospitalization and recovery with open heart surgery.
Book your heart murmur consultation in Riverside, California
Addressing a heart murmur doesn’t have to be overwhelming. With expert care from Dr. Bokhari and his team, you receive personalized treatment to improve your heart health and quality of life.
If you’re diagnosed with a murmur or suspect you might have one, call Advanced Cardiovascular Care, Inc., or book an appointment online today.
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