Heart Murmurs

Heart murmurs are abnormal sounds which are produced as a result of blood flowing turbulently, producing audible noise. Murmurs may be present in normal hearts without any heart disease. These types of murmurs, often referred to as innocent murmurs, usually cause no trouble for the patient. Murmurs may also be the result of various problems, such as narrowing or leaking of valves, or the presence of abnormal passages through which blood flows in or near the heart. Such murmurs, known as pathologic murmurs, should be evaluated by an expert. Although most murmurs do not affect a person's health at all, some heart murmurs are caused by deffective heart valves. Murmurs also can be caused by conditions such as pregnancy, fever, and thyrotoxicosis.