Recognizing Signs of Heart Murmur in Your Child

A heart murmur is an unusual sound during a heartbeat, often described as a whooshing or swishing noise. Most of the time, heart murmurs don’t cause noticeable symptoms and they aren’t necessarily cause for concern.

However, some heart murmurs are due to underlying heart conditions that need further evaluation. Whether you’ve just learned that your child has a heart murmur or you’re concerned there might be something wrong with their heart, Devyani Chowdhury, MD, MHA, and our team at Cardiology Care for Children are here to help.

Understanding the signs of heart murmurs and knowing what steps to take can help you make sure your child gets the right care.

Why heart murmurs happen

Heart murmurs occur when blood flows through the heart more turbulently than normal, creating an unusual sound. The most common heart murmurs in children are innocent (functional) murmurs. They’re caused by normal blood flow through the heart, and they often disappear as a child grows.

Other acute causes of heart murmurs are fever, anemia, and even rapid growth in children. All of these can cause increased blood flow and sometimes lead to temporary murmurs.

Some murmurs are caused by structural issues in the heart, including congenital heart defects like holes in the heart (septal defects) or valve abnormalities. For example, some heart murmurs result from valves that are too tight or don’t close properly and affect blood flow.

Signs that your child may have a heart murmur

Many heart murmurs don’t cause noticeable symptoms, especially if they’re innocent murmurs. However, if a murmur is linked to a heart condition, your child may experience symptoms like:

• Shortness of breath, even with mild activity
• Persistent fatigue or weakness
• Bluish tint to their lips or fingertips (cyanosis)
• Poor weight gain or slow growth in infants
• Frequent respiratory infections
• Chest pain or palpitations
• Fainting episodes

If your child has any of these symptoms, it’s important to take them seriously and see a doctor for further evaluation.

How we diagnose heart murmurs

Heart murmurs that don’t cause symptoms are usually detected during routine checkups using a stethoscope. If the murmur sounds unusual — or if you brought your child in because you’re concerned that they might have a heart murmur — we may recommend additional tests.

An echocardiogram is a specialized ultrasound that shows detailed images of your child’s heart structure and function, which can help identify congenital defects. Electrocardiogram (ECG) measures their heart’s electrical activity to detect other types of irregularities.

A simple chest X-ray can help determine if your child’s heart is enlarged, which can indicate underlying conditions. An oxygen saturation test measures how well oxygen is circulating in your child’s blood, and gives insight into their heart and lung function.

What happens after a heart murmur diagnosis?

If your child has an innocent heart murmur, no treatment is needed, and they can lead a normal, healthy life. However, if a murmur is linked to a heart condition, treatment options will depend on the cause and they typically focus on addressing the underlying condition.

Some conditions require regular monitoring and periodic checkups to track any changes in your child’s heart health. If the murmur is due to an underlying issue like high blood pressure (hypertension) or heart failure, we may prescribe medication to help manage symptoms. And in cases where there’s a structural defect, surgery may be necessary to repair your child’s heart.

At Cardiology Care for Children, we specialize in diagnosing and managing heart murmurs in children. We’re here to help you find answers and develop a comprehensive care plan to promote their heart health. Contact us at 717-925-8300 to schedule an appointment at one of our clinics in Lancaster, Mifflinburg, and Strasburg, Pennsylvania, and Topeka, Indiana.