Can a Heart Murmur Come Back? Understanding the Risks.

Heart murmurs are common and are detected during routine checkups. They are usually harmless and indicate no abnormalities. A heart murmur is the sound created when blood flows through the heart and its chambers. Murmurs are classified according to their intensity and location in the heart. In some cases, a heart murmur may go away on its own or may require medical treatment. But can a heart murmur come back? Read on to understand the risks.

Understanding heart murmurs

A heart murmur is an abnormal sound in the heart. It is usually heard when a doctor listens to your heart with a stethoscope. A murmur is created when blood flows through one or more of the heart’s valves. Heart murmurs are common and are usually harmless. They can occur during childhood, but adults can also develop heart murmurs.

Heart murmurs are classified according to their intensity and location. The intensity refers to how loud the murmur is, and the location refers to where it is heard in the heart. Murmurs can be innocent, benign, or pathologic.

Innocent heart murmurs

Also called functional heart murmurs, innocent murmurs are not caused by heart disease or abnormalities. They are harmless and do not require treatment. Innocent murmurs are common in children and are usually outgrown by adulthood.

Benign heart murmurs

Benign murmurs are caused by abnormalities in the heart’s structure or valves. They are usually harmless and do not require treatment. Benign murmurs are common in adults, and they can go away on their own or persist over time.

Pathologic heart murmurs

Pathologic murmurs are caused by heart disease or abnormalities. They can be serious and require medical treatment. Pathologic murmurs can occur at any age and can develop suddenly or over time.

Can a heart murmur come back?

Heart murmurs can go away on their own or can persist over time. Some heart murmurs are harmless and do not require treatment, while others can be serious and require medical treatment. Whether a heart murmur can come back depends on the cause of the murmur and the treatment received.

Harmless murmurs

Innocent and benign heart murmurs are usually harmless and do not require treatment. They may go away on their own or persist over time. Innocent murmurs are common in children and are usually outgrown by adulthood. Benign murmurs are common in adults and can go away on their own or persist over time. Once an innocent or benign murmur is detected and confirmed as harmless, it is unlikely to come back.

Pathologic murmurs

Pathologic heart murmurs are caused by heart disease or abnormalities. They can be serious and require medical treatment. For example, heart valve disease can cause a heart murmur. If the valve is replaced or repaired, the murmur may go away. However, if the valve disease progresses, a new murmur may occur. If the underlying heart disease is not treated, the murmur may come back or worsen over time.

Understanding the risks

Whether a heart murmur can come back depends on the cause of the murmur, the presence of underlying heart disease, and the treatment received. Some factors that can increase the risk of a heart murmur coming back include:

  • A congenital heart defect
  • Recurrent infections such as rheumatic fever
  • Endocarditis, an infection of the heart’s lining and valves
  • A heart attack or other heart-related conditions
  • Age-related wear and tear on the heart’s valves

Symptoms of a heart murmur

Heart murmurs do not usually cause symptoms. However, symptoms may occur in cases where the murmur is caused by underlying heart disease. Some symptoms of a heart murmur may include:

  • Shortness of breath
  • Chest pain or tightness
  • Fainting or dizziness
  • Swollen feet or ankles
  • Abnormal heartbeats

Diagnosis and treatment

A heart murmur is usually detected during a routine physical exam when a doctor listens to your heart with a stethoscope. Once a heart murmur is detected, a doctor may order further diagnostic tests such as an echocardiogram, electrocardiogram, or chest X-ray to determine the cause and severity of the murmur.

The treatment for a heart murmur depends on the underlying cause and severity of the murmur. Innocent and benign murmurs do not require treatment and are usually monitored over time. Pathologic murmurs caused by underlying heart disease may require medication, surgery, or other medical interventions.

Medications

Medications may be prescribed to manage symptoms of heart disease or to prevent complications such as blood clots. Some medications may help reduce the severity of a heart murmur or improve the efficiency of the heart’s pumping action.

Surgery

If a heart murmur is caused by a heart defect, surgery may be required to repair or replace the defective valve. Valve replacement surgery is a major surgical procedure that requires a hospital stay and a period of recovery.

Other medical interventions

Other medical interventions such as a pacemaker or cardiac ablation may be required to manage certain heart conditions. Cardiac rehabilitation may also be recommended to improve heart health and prevent future heart-related conditions.

Prevention

Most heart murmurs cannot be prevented, but there are steps you can take to reduce your risk of developing heart disease or to manage existing heart conditions. Some tips for heart health include:

  • Eating a healthy diet
  • Exercising regularly
  • Managing stress
  • Quitting smoking
  • Getting regular check-ups and screenings

Conclusion

Heart murmurs are common and are usually harmless. Whether a heart murmur can come back depends on its cause, the presence of underlying heart disease, and the treatment received. Innocent and benign murmurs do not require treatment and are usually monitored over time, while pathologic murmurs caused by underlying heart disease may require medication, surgery, or other medical interventions. To reduce the risk of heart disease, it is essential to maintain a healthy lifestyle and to regularly check and manage existing conditions.

FAQs

  • Can a heart murmur go away on its own? Yes, some heart murmurs are harmless and can go away on their own.
  • Can a heart murmur come back after treatment? Whether a heart murmur comes back after treatment depends on the underlying cause and the treatment received. In some cases, if the underlying heart disease is not treated, the murmur may come back or worsen over time.
  • Are heart murmurs hereditary? Some heart murmurs may be hereditary, but not all heart murmurs have a genetic cause.
  • Do heart murmurs require medical treatment? Innocent and benign heart murmurs do not require treatment, while pathologic heart murmurs caused by underlying heart disease may require medication, surgery, or other medical interventions.
  • Can heart murmurs cause a heart attack? Heart murmurs do not usually cause heart attacks, but underlying heart disease may increase the risk of a heart attack.

References

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