Incredible medical advances have democratized access to precise information about our heart health.
So today, everyone can hear about conditions such as heart murmur. 🫀
But what exactly are we talking about?
Is it understood by everyone?
What resources are available to detect and manage it?
In this article, we offer a comprehensive overview of the heart murmur concept, with an educational approach designed to shed light on this often overlooked aspect of cardiovascular well-being.
The basics of heart murmurs
By definition, a murmur is simply the sound that results from blood flowing through your heart during its normal beat cycle.
It's not always synonymous with some kind of ailment or disease; indeed, some individuals have what are commonly referred to as "innocent" or "physiological" murmurs.
This means you can have a perfectly healthy heart and still have those famous "songs"!
However, it is also important to point out that there are two main types of heart murmur:
Types of heart murmurs
Differentiating between the different forms greatly helps to understand the patient's general condition, and guides towards more personalized management. 👇
✔️ Systolic murmurs
They are the most common and occur when the heart contracts, forcing blood out.
They are generally mild and do not necessarily require specific drug treatment.
✔️ Diastolic murmurs
The latter, on the other hand, occur when the heart is at rest between beats.
In general, they merit special attention as they suggest an underlying pathology that may require appropriate medical attention.
So yes, heart murmurs can be as unique as the individuals they belong to!
Heart murmur frequency
It's worth noting that a large number of individuals have already had or will have to deal with this phenomenon during a visit to their healthcare professional for a specific routine or cause.
There's no need to panic!
Indeed, even if the frequency of heart murmurs isn't always discussed in the public arena (and it can cause a few initial shocks), it nevertheless remains what science calls "a fairly common phenomenon".
Now you can see why we think it's crucial to devote considerable space in our discussion to elucidating this universal problem in the cardiovascular world.
Heart murmurs: Causes and symptoms
Before we explain how we at Cardio Laval can help you manage your heart situation, let's take a moment to understand what can cause a heart murmur and what the symptoms might be. 👇
Causes of heart murmurs
There are many causes of a heart murmur, ranging from congenital conditions (present from birth) to acquired problems such as aging.
Some people may be born with a valve or other abnormal heart structure that causes an audible noise when they breathe.
In addition, the accumulation of plaque in the coronary arteries (atherosclerosis), high blood pressure or certain infections such as infective endocarditis can favor the development of this disorder.
It's also important to understand that excessive alcohol consumption and regular use of toxic substances such as nicotine have been linked to cardiovascular disorders, including heart murmurs.
Not to mention certain prescription drugs, such as those used to treat high blood pressure or chronic renal failure, which can sometimes have side effects affecting the heart muscle.
Symptoms associated with heart murmurs
Now let's talk about the symptoms commonly associated with abnormal heart sounds.
It's important to explain that not everyone with a heart murmur will experience symptoms.
In some cases, the heart murmur can remain silent and undetected for years.
However, when symptoms do begin to appear, they can include excessive fatigue even after minor physical effort, fainting or syncope, difficulty breathing (dyspnea), swelling in the legs or abdomen (edema) often linked to congestive heart failure, and unusual palpitations.
These signs should always be taken seriously to rule out any underlying cardiac pathology.
The importance of early detection
Ultimately, it's important to note that all these clinical manifestations are non-specific and may occur alongside other non-cardiovascular medical problems.
This is why early diagnosis is crucial to effective management.
The earlier a potential heart problem such as a murmur is diagnosed, the more likely it is that its progression can be prevented with the right tools.
How can Cardio Laval help you?
At Cardio Laval, our goal is nothing less than your optimal health.
Our expertise lies in our voracious commitment to providing dedicated support focused on your individual needs. 👇
Our expertise at the service of your health
With our qualified professionals equipped with the technical know-how to treat any variety of cardiovascular abnormality, including abnormal heart sounds, our aim is simple: to help you understand your heart health and support you with an appropriate care regime.
In addition to caring for your heart, we are also committed to excellence in our medical collaborations.
Our seamless communication with other healthcare professionals ensures smooth care coordination for your benefit throughout the process.
Tests and examinations available
To better identify or confirm heart murmurs, we have a number of essential tests at our disposal.
This may involve a simple stethoscope, enabling the doctor to listen to your heartbeat, or more detailed examinations such as Doppler ultrasound (or ECG), stress tests or even the fitting of a holter, which enables continuous analysis of the heart rhythm for 24 or 48 hours, as required.
At Cardio Laval, every potentially necessary aspect on the road to better cardiac management is covered to ensure not only total relief, but above all peace of mind through effective care in every possible scenario.
Living with a heart murmur
Learning to live with a heart murmur doesn't mean giving up on quality of life.
In fact, many people lead normal lives despite this diagnosis, but it does require a few adjustments and precautions to maintain good heart health. 👇
👉 Improving quality of life with a heart murmur
First of all, it's important to understand that living with a heart murmur is not synonymous with a reduced quality of life.
Indeed, many people lead perfectly normal lives despite this diagnosis. However, this requires certain adjustments and precautions.
One of the keys is to learn to listen to your body and its signals to identify situations that aggravate your condition.
For example, stress or fatigue can amplify the manifestation of breath.
It's important to learn how to manage these aspects by adopting techniques such as good sleep or yoga to better deal with stress and anxiety.
👉 Good nutrition and physical activity
On the dietary side, a balanced diet is a great help in keeping your heart healthy.
Foods rich in omega-3s, such as oily fish, are good for the body, while those saturated with unhealthy fats, such as fast food, should be avoided.
At the same time, regular physical activity is also beneficial for cardiovascular health.
The aim is not necessarily to become a top-level athlete, but rather to engage in regular, moderate physical activity adapted to each person's level of fitness and ability.
This can be as simple as walking every day, or more strenuous activities such as swimming or cycling.
However, a doctor's supervision is essential before starting any new physical activity, so that it's adapted to your state of health.
👉 Regular follow-up and medical support
Living with a heart murmur means regular medical check-ups. Periodic visits allow us to check how your heart is functioning, and to adjust any necessary treatments.
At the same time, medical-educational support is an integral part of the care provided to patients with heart murmurs.
At Cardio Laval, we take on this role by offering personalized care that incorporates the latest medical knowledge and your own needs to improve your quality of life with this chronic disease.
👉 Psychological support: your ally
It's important to emphasize the importance of psychological support in coping with this situation.
Discovering heart disease can be a stressful experience, generating feelings of fear and sadness.
So it's only natural that you should consult a psychologist who is part of our multidisciplinary team, providing you with compassionate support, advice and useful tools to help you manage this new reality.
Contact us!
Living with a heart murmur can sometimes seem complicated.
However, thanks to a healthy diet, regular physical activity adapted to your abilities and ad hoc medical follow-up at Cardio LavalYou'll be on the safe side when it comes to managing this disease. 🖥️
Finally, don't forget that you're not alone in this situation.
We're here to support you and guide you towards the best options for your specific needs.
We urge you to stay active, well-informed and, above all, proactive when it comes to heart health.
At Cardio Laval, we believe in the power of a comprehensive approach to improving the quality of life of people with heart murmurs.
To achieve this, we combine professional medical care with an individualized educational approach for optimum management of your heart murmur.
Don't hesitate to visit our website to browse our health articles and learn more about how your heart works.
You can also book an appointment online here.
See you soon! 👋
