What Is a Heart Murmur?

A heart murmur is an extra sound heard between normal heartbeats through a stethoscope. It may sound like a swishing, blowing, or whooshing noise.

A murmur is not a diagnosis by itself. Further evaluation may be needed to determine whether it is harmless or associated with an underlying heart condition.

Are All Heart Murmurs Dangerous?

No. Some heart murmurs are innocent and occur even when the heart is healthy.

Other murmurs may be caused by:

• Narrowed heart valves
• Leaking heart valves
• Congenital heart conditions
• Changes in heart structure
• Increased blood flow
• Anemia
• Fever
• Thyroid disorders
• Pregnancy
• Heart muscle disease

The significance of a murmur depends on its sound, location, timing, intensity, and accompanying symptoms.

Possible Symptoms Associated With a Heart Murmur

Many people with a heart murmur have no symptoms. When an underlying heart condition is present, symptoms may include:

• Shortness of breath
• Chest pain
• Heart palpitations
• Dizziness
• Fainting
• Unusual fatigue
• Reduced exercise capacity
• Swelling in the legs or ankles
• Rapid or irregular heartbeat

Patients experiencing these symptoms should consider a cardiovascular evaluation.

When Should You See a Cardiologist?

A heart murmur assessment may be recommended when:

• A murmur is detected during a health check-up
• You have unexplained shortness of breath
• You experience chest pain or palpitations
• You become dizzy or faint
• Your exercise tolerance has decreased
• You have a history of heart valve disease
• You were born with a heart condition
• A previous echocardiogram showed an abnormality
• You need a second opinion about a heart murmur

How Is a Heart Murmur Evaluated?

The cardiologist will listen to the heart and review:

• Current symptoms
• Medical history
• Family history
• Previous heart conditions
• Current medications
• Blood pressure
• Previous ECG or echocardiogram results

The murmur’s timing, location, intensity, and response to changes in body position can provide important diagnostic information.

Tests for a Heart Murmur

Echocardiogram

An echocardiogram uses ultrasound to evaluate the heart’s structure and movement. It can assess:

• Heart valve opening and closure
• Valve narrowing
• Valve leakage
• Heart chamber size
• Heart muscle thickness
• Pumping function
• Abnormal blood flow
• Congenital structural conditions

It is one of the most important tests used to investigate a heart murmur.

Electrocardiogram

An ECG records the heart’s electrical activity and may identify abnormal rhythm, heart enlargement, or signs of cardiac strain.

Chest Imaging

Chest imaging may be recommended when the cardiologist needs to examine heart size, lung congestion, or other structures inside the chest.

Exercise Stress Testing

A stress test may be considered when symptoms occur during physical activity or when the doctor needs to assess how the heart responds to exercise.

Blood Tests

Blood testing may help identify conditions that can influence blood flow or heart function, including anemia, infection, and thyroid disorders.

Heart Murmur and Heart Valve Disease

Heart murmurs are commonly associated with valve conditions such as:

• Aortic stenosis
• Aortic regurgitation
• Mitral regurgitation
• Mitral stenosis
• Tricuspid regurgitation
• Pulmonary valve disease

Valve disease may be mild and require only monitoring, or it may require medication, closer follow-up, or referral for additional treatment.

Heart Murmur in Younger Adults

A murmur in a younger person may be innocent, but evaluation may be needed when it is accompanied by:

• Fainting during exercise
• Chest pain
• Shortness of breath
• Palpitations
• Family history of sudden cardiac death
• Reduced athletic performance

An echocardiogram can help rule out structural heart conditions.

Heart Murmur in Older Adults

Heart valve changes become more common with age. Calcium buildup, valve degeneration, high blood pressure, and previous heart disease may affect blood flow through the heart.

Older adults with a newly detected murmur may benefit from echocardiography and regular cardiovascular follow-up.

Does a Heart Murmur Require Treatment?

The murmur itself is not treated. Treatment depends on the underlying cause.

Management may include:

• Regular cardiology monitoring
• Blood pressure control
• Medication
• Treatment of anemia or thyroid disease
• Lifestyle modification
• Follow-up echocardiograms
• Referral for valve repair or replacement when necessary

Harmless murmurs may not require treatment.

Heart Murmur Evaluation for International Patients

Dr. Lim Do-Sun Cardiovascular Clinic welcomes expatriates, tourists, overseas residents, and international patients seeking heart murmur evaluation in Seoul.

Patients may bring:

• Previous echocardiogram results
• ECG reports
• Medical records
• Medication lists
• Health screening reports
• Previous cardiology recommendations

These records can help the cardiologist compare findings and provide a more complete assessment.

Why Choose Dr. Lim Do-Sun Heart Clinic?

The clinic provides:

• Cardiologist-led heart murmur evaluation
• Echocardiography
• ECG testing
• Heart valve assessment
• Structural heart evaluation
• Cardiovascular second opinions
• Personalized follow-up planning
• International patient support

Book a Heart Murmur Evaluation in Seoul

A heart murmur may be harmless, but it can also be the first sign of heart valve or structural heart disease.

Dr. Lim Do-Sun Cardiovascular Clinic provides comprehensive heart murmur evaluation, echocardiography, and cardiovascular care in Seoul, Korea.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a heart murmur a heart disease?

Not necessarily. A heart murmur is a sound that may be harmless or related to an underlying heart condition.

What is the best test for a heart murmur?

An echocardiogram is commonly used to evaluate heart valves, heart structure, pumping function, and blood flow.

Can anxiety cause a heart murmur?

Anxiety can increase heart rate and blood flow, making certain sounds more noticeable, but persistent murmurs should still be medically evaluated.

Can a heart murmur disappear?

Some temporary or innocent murmurs may disappear. Murmurs caused by structural or valve conditions may remain and require monitoring.

Can I exercise with a heart murmur?

Many people with harmless murmurs can exercise normally. Patients with symptoms or structural heart disease should receive medical guidance before intense exercise.

Does a heart murmur require surgery?

Most heart murmurs do not require surgery. Surgery or catheter-based treatment may be considered only when significant valve or structural heart disease is present.

How often should a heart murmur be checked?

Follow-up frequency depends on the cause and severity. Some patients need only routine monitoring, while others require regular echocardiograms.