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What Causes An Audible Clicking Sound Corresponding With The Heart Beat?
Question: Hi - When I sit in a specific position, usually kind of slouched on a chair or couch I have occasional hear an audible clicking sound corresponding with my Heart Beat. I opened my mouth and my Spouse was able to hear this sound as well. I spoke to my GP who just kind of shrugged and said it was "one of those mysteries" but I am just curious if you have any idea why such a thing would happen, does it pose immediate risk, and what next steps would you recommend for investigation?
Brief Answer:
Echocardiogram
Detailed Answer:
Dear patient,
Thanks for the query. There are occasional "normal" physiologic clicks, that derive from opening of the heart valves, mainly the aortic valve. Nevertheless, there are also some other conditions seen in young patients such as bicuspid aortic valve and mitral valve prolapse that can also have clicks.
The best next step for sure? Have an ultrasound of the heart, or echocardiogram, to look at the cardiac structure, mainly valves. If it is normal, then I would not worry further.
Hope that helps, wish you the best,
Dr Brenes-Salazar MD
Mayo Clinic MN
Department of Medicine
Division of Cardiovascular Diseases
Echocardiogram
Detailed Answer:
Dear patient,
Thanks for the query. There are occasional "normal" physiologic clicks, that derive from opening of the heart valves, mainly the aortic valve. Nevertheless, there are also some other conditions seen in young patients such as bicuspid aortic valve and mitral valve prolapse that can also have clicks.
The best next step for sure? Have an ultrasound of the heart, or echocardiogram, to look at the cardiac structure, mainly valves. If it is normal, then I would not worry further.
Hope that helps, wish you the best,
Dr Brenes-Salazar MD
Mayo Clinic MN
Department of Medicine
Division of Cardiovascular Diseases
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Hi and thank you for your prompt reply. It is nice to hear from a cardiologist that there can be occasional "normal" clicking audible sounds coming from the heart.
I had an ultrasound aprox. 10 years ago which would rule our anything congenital such as Bicuspid Aortic Valve but given that I also have occasional PVCs/PACs I believe that MVP could be a possibility. Is MVP congenital, would an ultrasound 10-years ago pick it up as well or could that progress?
I will speak to my GP - however I doubt she will refer me for an ultrasound.
I had an ultrasound aprox. 10 years ago which would rule our anything congenital such as Bicuspid Aortic Valve but given that I also have occasional PVCs/PACs I believe that MVP could be a possibility. Is MVP congenital, would an ultrasound 10-years ago pick it up as well or could that progress?
I will speak to my GP - however I doubt she will refer me for an ultrasound.
Brief Answer:
MVP indeed can be dynamic
Detailed Answer:
It is good that you had an echo to rule out a bicuspid aortic valve. Mitral valve prolapse indeed can progress over time, but if you had the click then also this is less likely. Furthermore, MVP should also have a systolic murmur, along with the click. So, if there is no murmur, less likely to be MVP and more likely a normal variant sound.
Cheers
MVP indeed can be dynamic
Detailed Answer:
It is good that you had an echo to rule out a bicuspid aortic valve. Mitral valve prolapse indeed can progress over time, but if you had the click then also this is less likely. Furthermore, MVP should also have a systolic murmur, along with the click. So, if there is no murmur, less likely to be MVP and more likely a normal variant sound.
Cheers
Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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