context: var s_context; s_context= s_context || {}; s_context['wb.modimp'] = 'vidfloat'; if(webmd.useragent && webmd.useragent.ua.type === 'desktop'){ webmd.ads2.disable Initial Load(); webmd.ads2.disable Ads Init = true; $(function() { webmd.p.pim.increment(); $('.responsive-video-container').insert After('.module-social-share-container'); require(['video2/1/responsive-player/video-loader'], function(video Loader) { video Loader.init({ autoplay: webmd.useragent.ua.type === 'desktop' && ! !s_sensitive, chron ID: $('article embeded_module[type=video][align=top]:eq(0)').attr('chronic_id'), continuous Play: true, cp Options: { flyout: true }, display Ads: true, mode: 'in-article', sticky: true }) }); }); } else { $(function(){ $('.responsive-video-container').remove(); }); } The "murmur" is the sound of blood flowing. It may be passing through a problem heart valve, for instance. Or it may be that a condition makes your heart beat faster and forces your heart to handle more blood quicker than normal. Most are innocent and don't require any treatment. But there are exceptions. Murmurs can be linked to a damaged or overworked heart valve. Some people are born with valve problems. Others get them as a part of aging or from other heart problems. Common conditions can make your heart beat faster and lead to heart murmurs. They can happen if you're pregnant, or if you have: Anemia High blood pressure Overactive thyroid Fever A murmur could also be a problem with a heart valve. The valves close and open to let blood flow through the heart's two upper chambers -- called the atria -- and two lower chambers -- the ventricles. Valve problems include: Mitral valve prolapse: Normally, your mitral valve closes completely when the lower left chamber of your heart contracts. It stops blood from flowing back into your upper left chamber. If part of that valve balloons out so it doesn't close properly, you have mitral valve prolapse. This causes a clicking sound as your heart beats. It's fairly common and often not serious. But it can lead to the blood flowing backward through the valve, which your doctor may call regurgitation. Mitral valve or aortic stenosis: Your mitral and aortic valves are on the left side of your heart. If they narrow, which doctors call stenosis, your heart has to work harder to pump blood to the rest of your body. If left untreated, it can wear out your heart and lead to heart failure. You might be born with this. It can also happen as part of aging, or because of scarring from infections such as rheumatic fever. Aortic sclerosis and stenosis: One in three elderly people have a heart murmur because of the scarring, thickening, or stiffening of their aortic valve. That's aortic sclerosis. It's usually not dangerous, since the valve can work for years after the murmur starts. It's usually seen in people who have heart disease. But the valve can narrow over time. This is called stenosis. It can lead to chest pain, shortness of breath, or you may pass out. Sometimes, the valve needs to be replaced. Mitral or aortic regurgitation: In this case, regurgitation means the blood is going the wrong way through your mitral or aortic valve and back into your heart. To counteract it, your heart must work harder to force blood through the damaged valve. Over time, this can weaken or enlarge your heart and lead to heart failure. Congenital heart defects: About 25,000 babies are born with heart defects each year. These problems include holes in heart walls or abnormal valves. Surgery can correct many of them. Many children and adults have harmless heart murmurs, which don't need treatment. If another condition, like high blood pressure, is causing yours, your doctor will treat the cause. Some types of heart valve disease may require: Medicines to prevent blood clots, control irregular heartbeat or palpitations, and lower blood pressure Diuretics to get rid of excess salt and water from your body, making it easier for your heart to pump Surgery to correct heart defects you're born with Surgery to correct certain types of heart valve disease It's not common, but doctors sometimes ask people to take antibiotics to help prevent heart infection before dental work or some kinds of surgery. Usually, doctors find heart murmurs during a physical exam. Your doctor will be able to hear it when listening to your heart with a stethoscope. Your doctor may order one or more of the following tests to see whether your heart murmur is innocent or it is caused by acquired valve disease or a defect you were born with: Electrocardiogram ( EKG), which measures the electrical activity of the heart Chest X-rays to see if the heart is enlarged due to heart or valve disease Echocardiography, which uses sound waves to map the heart's structure In most cases, you can't prevent heart murmurs. The exception is that if you treat an underlying condition, such as high blood pressure, or you avoid heart valve infection, heart murmurs are stopped before they start. Get medical help if you feel: Chest pain Breathlessness, fatigue, or fainting for no obvious reason Heart palpitations