From: Dr. Neal Pinckney (hnl02-052.gst.aloha.net)
Subject: Re: Murmur
Date: July 21, 2000 at 12:30 pm PST

In Reply to: I have a heart Murmur I need some advice. posted by Anita *MO on July 20, 2000 at 10:05 pm:

Heart murmurs are found in a fairly large percentage of healthy people. They do not, of themselves, necessarily indicate heart disease.

A murmur is the sound detected when blood moves through a narrowed valve or as it swirls back and forth through a valve that remains partially open.

Even though a valve may be slightly damaged, it may require no treatment and most people with this condition are able to live a normal, fully active life. Some precautions, such as taking antibiotics before dental and surgical procedures to reduce the risk of valve infection (endocarditis) are usually advised.

There's no reason to assume that this condition will "get bad", but if a significant change in condition is detected, it should be brought to the attention of one's physician or cardiologist.