Heart Murmur

A heart murmur is an additional sound that can be heard through a stethoscope while listening for a patient’s heartbeat. Most such murmurs do not denote a dangerous condition of any kind, but some may indicate the presence of a heart defect such as a hole or possibly a faulty valve. Up to 50 percent of kids are diagnosed with a heart murmur at some point in time, most of which are described as “innocent” and without need for concern. Some heart murmurs are caused by congenital defects, pregnancy, an overactive thyroid or anemia, and these conditions may require evaluation and treatment by a specially trained cardiologist.