Hi,I am Dr. Prabhakar Koregol (Cardiologist). I will be looking into your question and guiding you through the process. Please write your question below.
Slight Murmur, No Chest Pain, No Breathing Issues. What Does It Mean?
Hi..I am a 48 yr old female, 5'4" , 160 lbs. with a slight heart murmur. It's been checked and I've been told its the best kind of heart murmur to have if your going to have one. I am a very busy person and have no breathing issues until I climb a hill. I can walk for miles but the minute I hit a steeper incline I have difficulting breathing. No chest pain just can't catch my breath and start to drip sweat. A few minutes rest and I can continue until it happens again. What can it be?
It is not unusual to observe murmurs in adults who are clinically ok. Not all murmurs are pathological or signify disease. Specific characteristics of the murmur like the intensity, the site, the spread and aggravating or relieving factors are usually taken into consideration during the clinical review.
I advice to my patients to remain calm, especially if the past medical history is not remarkable,or in case no family member has ever had issues with the heart. The blood pressure is important to be precised to exclude hypertension. However, a chest X ray, an EKG including a cardiac ultrasound if needed (based on physical examination by your doctor) should be sufficient to make an appropriate diagnosis and draw up a good management plan. The opinion of an internist could be of much help. thanks and hope this helps as I wish you the best of health. Kind regards.
It is not the murmur itself, but the cause of murmur, that determines the outcome. ECHOcardiogram is necessary to see the heart valves (Mitral Valve Prolapse) / heart muscle (Cardiomyopathy) and heart function (Ejection fraction, wall motion abnormality) / clots... Your symptom dictates the need for TMT – Treadmill exercise ECG; may be with thallium isotope – it is necessary to evaluate ischemia (reduced blood flow / Coronary Artery Disease) The treating doctor alone can suggest further based on his assessment of the situation.
Take care Wishing all well God bless Good luck
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Slight Murmur, No Chest Pain, No Breathing Issues. What Does It Mean?
Hi and thanks for the query, It is not unusual to observe murmurs in adults who are clinically ok. Not all murmurs are pathological or signify disease. Specific characteristics of the murmur like the intensity, the site, the spread and aggravating or relieving factors are usually taken into consideration during the clinical review. I advice to my patients to remain calm, especially if the past medical history is not remarkable,or in case no family member has ever had issues with the heart. The blood pressure is important to be precised to exclude hypertension. However, a chest X ray, an EKG including a cardiac ultrasound if needed (based on physical examination by your doctor) should be sufficient to make an appropriate diagnosis and draw up a good management plan. The opinion of an internist could be of much help. thanks and hope this helps as I wish you the best of health. Kind regards. Bain LE, MD.