Can You Die From a Heart Murmur?

Hearing that you or a loved one has a heart murmur can be unsettling. However, in many cases, a heart murmur is a harmless sound that does not signal a dangerous health condition.

Still, some murmurs can indicate an underlying heart problem. The discovery of a murmur is an important reason to talk with your Baptist healthcare provider about the cause and whether any follow-up is needed.

What Is a Heart Murmur?

A typical heartbeat produces a “lub-dub” sound as the heart valves open and close to pump blood. A heart murmur is an extra sound, often described as a “whooshing” or “swishing” noise, that can be heard with a stethoscope. This sound is caused by turbulent or rough blood flow through the heart’s chambers and valves.

Providers classify murmurs based on when they occur during the heartbeat cycle. A systolic murmur happens when the heart contracts, a diastolic murmur occurs as it relaxes between beats, and a continuous murmur is heard during both phases.

“Innocent” Heart Murmurs Are Common

Many heart murmurs are considered “innocent” or harmless. This means the unusual sound is not caused by a heart defect and typically is not linked to an underlying health problem. Innocent murmurs are common in infants and children and often disappear over time.

In adults, harmless murmurs can occur when blood flows more rapidly through the heart than usual. This may be related to:

• Vigorous exercise
• High fever
• Pregnancy
• Anemia (low red blood cells)
• An overactive thyroid gland

When Can a Heart Murmur Be Serious?

Some murmurs may be a sign of an underlying cardiac condition. These are called abnormal heart murmurs and require further evaluation. The turbulent blood flow may be caused by a structural issue within the heart or its valves.

Potential causes include:

• Heart valve disease, such as a narrowed valve (stenosis) or a valve that leaks (regurgitation)
• A hole in the heart wall (a congenital defect)
• An infection of the heart’s lining called endocarditis

Contact your provider if you notice symptoms such as:

• Shortness of breath
• Chest pain or pressure
• Dizziness or fainting
• Chronic, persistent cough
• Swelling in the feet or legs
• Bluish skin on the lips or fingertips

Diagnosis and Next Steps

If a provider detects a murmur, they may recommend testing to learn the cause. A common test is an echocardiogram, which uses sound waves to create a detailed image of the heart’s structure and function.

Innocent murmurs require no treatment. When an abnormal murmur is connected to a condition such as high blood pressure, medication may be recommended. For more serious issues, such as valve disease, treatment may range from monitoring to surgical repair or replacement.

While the term “heart murmur” can sound concerning, it is often not a sign of a life-threatening problem. Working with your healthcare provider is the best way to understand the cause and determine the next steps for your heart health.

If you don’t have a Baptist Health cardiology provider, call 1.877.720.0817 or visit our provider directory to find one. You can also take a Heart Health Risk Assessment to learn more about your cardiovascular wellness.