What is a heart murmur?
A heart murmur is a sound made by blood moving through the heart's chambers or valves. Murmurs range from quite faint to very loud.
There are two main types of heart murmurs: innocent (harmless) and abnormal. Most cases of heart murmurs in children are innocent heart murmurs that are not caused by a heart problem.
Most abnormal murmurs in children are due to acongenital heart defector avascular anomaly.
What causes heart murmurs?
Heart murmurs may be caused by a number of conditions related to turbulent flow or acceleration of blood in the heart, including:
- heart valve problems
- holes in the heart walls
- narrowing of vessels
- peripheral pulmonary stenosis
- fever
- anemia
How are heart murmurs diagnosed?
You child’s doctor will evaluate your child’s murmur based on its pitch, character, location, loudness, and duration. Your pediatrician will decide if your child needs to be seen by a cardiologist. The most important thing early on is to diagnose the cause of the murmur.
Murmurs related to a congenital heart defect or other problem involving the heart will be heard the loudest in the area of the chest where the problem occurs.'
What is the treatment for a heart murmur?
Most heart murmurs in children are benign and don’t need treatment or follow up. If your child has an abnormal heart murmur that’s caused by another heart condition, he or she may need treatment for that condition.
How we care for heart murmurs
If your child has a heart murmur caused by a heart condition, the Boston Children’s HospitalBenderson Family Heart Centerhas one of the world’s largestteamsof highly trained pediatric cardiologists and pediatric cardiac surgeons, including special expertise across dozens ofprograms and services.
Our team treats a full spectrum ofcardiac disorders, including the rarest and most complex congenital heart defects.
Heart Murmur |Programs & Services
Departments
Cardiac Surgery
Department
Our Department of Pediatric Cardiac Surgery has grown to become the largest pediatric cardiology center in the U.S. and the most specialized in the world.
Centers
Benderson Family Heart Center
Center
We are dedicated to achieving the best possible outcomes for every patient — as well as providing long-term support for every family. Learn more.
Programs
Adult Congenital Heart Program
Program
Boston Children's Hospital - Adult Congenital Heart Program
Heart Tumor Program
Program
The Heart Tumor Program at Boston Children's Hospital is a comprehensive program that specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of pediatric cardiac tumors. Learn more.
Cardiology Outpatient Services
Program
Boston Children's Hospital - Cardiology Outpatient Services