Heart murmur
If you suspect you or someone close to you may be having a heart attack, dial triple zero (000) and immediately ask for an ambulance.
Key facts
- A heart murmur is a 'swishing', 'whooshing' or 'rasping' noise heard between regular heart beats.
- It can be harmless or a possible sign a heart condition.
- Whether you have other symptoms will depend on the medical condition causing the murmur.
- Doctors diagnose a heart murmur by listening to your heart with a stethoscope and may recommend tests such as an ECG, chest x-ray, echocardiogram or angiogram.
- Medicines or surgery may be needed to treat a heart murmur.
What is a heart murmur?
A heart murmur is an abnormal sound heard between the sounds of your regular heartbeat (usually heard as 'lub-dub). It may sound like a 'swishing', 'whooshing' or 'rasping' noise. The abnormal sounds are caused by blood flowing through your heart . You can usually hear a heart murmur through a stethoscope.
Heart murmurs might be present at birth (congenital) or develop later in life.
Heart murmurs can either be harmless (also known as 'innocent' heart murmurs), or can indicate an underlying heart problem.
What symptoms can be associated with a heart murmur?
If you have a harmless (innocent) heart murmur, you may not have any symptoms.
If your heart murmur is due to heart disease or a structural heart issue, you may experience:
- shortness of breath (either when exercising or at rest)
- light-headedness or dizziness
- fatigue, fainting or blackouts
- fast or irregular heartbeat, or heart palpitations
- swelling of your feet or legs
- difficulty with daily activities
Babies or children with a heart murmur due to heart problems may also have:
- a bluish tinge on the skin around their lips or under the fingernails
- poor growth
- pale skin
Babies might also have difficulty feeding or become sweaty when feeding.
CHECK YOUR SYMPTOMS — Use the Symptom Checker and find out if you need to seek medical help.
If you are with someone who is unconscious, call triple zero (000) for an ambulance, and if the person stops breathing, start CPR.
What causes a heart murmur?
Innocent heart murmurs
Innocent murmurs can be caused by:
- situations that increase your heart rate and blood flow — such as exercise, pregnancy or when you are growing rapidly, such as during adolescence
- a fever
- hyperthyroidism
- low iron levels (anaemia)
Abnormal murmurs
Abnormal heart murmurs are caused by a problem with the structure of your heart or a problem with your heart valves.
Heart valve problems may involve:
- stenosis — heart valves that are narrowed or stiff
- regurgitation — heart valves that don't close properly, causing blood to leak in the wrong direction
These heart valve problems can be caused by:
- ageing
- heart muscle damage from a heart attack
- cardiomyopathy — a condition that affects your heart muscle
- rheumatic heart disease
- endocarditis — infection of the inner lining of the heart and its valves
When should I see my doctor?
See your doctor if you suspect you may have a heart murmur so they can try and identify the cause.
If you think your child has symptoms of a heart murmur, take them to see a doctor.
ASK YOUR DOCTOR — Preparing for an appointment? Use the Question Builder for general tips on what to ask your GP or specialist.
How is a heart murmur diagnosed?
Your doctor might first identify a heart murmur during a regular check-up when listening to your heart with a stethoscope.
If your doctor hears a murmur, they may recommend some of the following tests to determine if your heart murmur is innocent or abnormal:
- An electrocardiogram (ECG) records your heart's electrical activity.
- A chest x-ray checks if your heart is bigger than normal, or if you have other signs of heart problems.
- An echocardiogram is a heart ultrasound.
- Coronary angiogram uses dye to help your doctor see your coronary arteries on x-ray.
How are heart murmurs treated?
Innocent heart murmurs do not usually need treatment.
If your heart murmur is abnormal, you may need treatment. If your murmur was caused by:
- heart disease — you may need to medicine, such as beta-blockers and blood thinners
- a structural problem in your heart — you may need heart surgery or a catheter procedure
You and your doctor will discuss the treatment options so you can make an informed decision about the best treatment for you.
What are the complications of a heart murmur?
An abnormal heart murmur can lead to complications such as:
Can a heart murmur be prevented?
Heart murmurs cannot be prevented, but living a healthy lifestyle can reduce your risk of developing some heart diseases associated with heart murmurs.
Here are some tips to help reduce your risk of heart disease:
- Maintain a healthy body weight and waist circumference.
- Keep physically active.
- Maintain a healthy, balanced diet.
- Quit smoking.
- Reduce your alcohol intake.
- Manage your cholesterol, blood sugar and blood pressure levels.
- Get enough sleep.
Read about a healthy heart diet.
Resources and support
- The Heart Foundation offers information and resources on heart conditions.
- For support and information on childhood heart disease, visit HeartKids or call their helpline on 1800 432 785.
- You can also call the healthdirect helpline on 1800 022 222 (known as NURSE-ON-CALL in Victoria). A registered nurse is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Do you prefer to read in languages other than English?
The Heart Foundation offers heart health information in a range of languages, as well as a video about heart failure.
Looking for information for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people?
- Watch a one minute video about getting a free heart health check.
- The Heart Foundation offers Heart Health resources for First Nations peoples.
- Visit the St Vincents Hospital NSW and Heart Foundation Aboriginal heart health website for more information.
Learn more here about the development and quality assurance of healthdirect content.
Last reviewed: July 2024
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