Also they may disappear if the child sits up or lies down. All these findings suggest an organic murmur. In this condition, the left ventricular muscle becomes overdeveloped at the point the aorta takes off, thus reducing the outflow of blood. This is the classical lesion seen in male athletes who die unexpectedly during a sports event. It is rarely diagnosed prior to severe symptoms or death.
Organic murmurs are usually louder, occur during a heart sound and are always present.
They are usually due to congenital heart disease, but may occur as a sequelae of rheumatic fever. Another important technique when assessing a heart murmur is to take the blood pressure in both arms and at least one leg. An adult size cuff is needed for the leg or a falsely high reading could result. Family history of IHSS or sudden death accompanied by a palpable or visible apical thrust. The first and second heart sounds are abnormal or are obscured by the heart murmur.