Heart Murmur: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment
Medically reviewed by Achuta Uppu, MD, Internal Medicine. Last reviewed: October 23, 2026.
What kind of doctor treats Heart Murmur?
A primary care doctor can find a heart murmur, a whooshing sound heard through a stethoscope. A cardiologist, a doctor who specializes in heart diseases, is who you are usually referred to if a heart problem is suspected. A direct primary care or concierge doctor can be a first stop for an evaluation and can refer you to a specialist when needed.
What is a heart murmur?
A heart murmur is a blowing, whooshing, or rasping sound heard during a heartbeat. Rough blood flow through the heart valves or near the heart causes the sound. Valves are flaps that close with each heartbeat so blood flows in only one direction.
Many heart murmurs are harmless. These are called innocent murmurs. They will not cause any symptoms or problems. Other murmurs may point to a problem in the heart.
Doctors grade a murmur by how loud it sounds, on a scale of 1 to 6. They also describe when in the heartbeat the murmur is heard. A murmur can be systolic, when the heart is squeezing out blood, or diastolic, when it is filling up with blood.
Symptoms
An innocent murmur does not cause symptoms. Many people live their whole lives with a heart valve that does not work perfectly and never have any problems. Heart valve disease may get worse slowly over time. Signs of a valve problem can then include:
- Shortness of breath, which feels like you cannot get enough air.
- Fatigue, or feeling very tired.
- Swelling in your feet, ankles, belly, or the veins in your neck.
- Chest pain when you are physically active.
- Arrhythmia, a problem with the rate or rhythm of your heartbeat.
- Dizziness.
Without treatment, the extra workload on your heart can lead to heart failure, stroke, blood clots, or sudden cardiac arrest.
Causes and who gets it
Any situation that adds blood flow through the heart can cause a murmur. Examples include exercise, pregnancy, high emotional stress, and fever or illness. Children often have murmurs as a normal part of development. These murmurs do not need treatment.
Murmurs can also happen when a valve does not close tightly and blood leaks backward. This is called regurgitation. They can happen when blood flows through a narrowed or stiff heart valve. This is called stenosis. Some people are born with heart valve disease. It can also develop over time as you get older or have conditions that affect the heart.
Rheumatic fever, which can follow untreated strep throat, can harm the heart valves. Endocarditis, a rare infection in the lining of the heart and heart valves, is another risk. In children, a significant murmur is more likely to come from a heart defect. One example is a ventricular septal defect, a hole in the wall between the two lower chambers of the heart.
How doctors diagnose it
A provider listens to your heart with a stethoscope. You will be asked about your medical history and symptoms. The provider may ask whether other family members have had murmurs or heart problems. You may be asked to squat, stand, or hold your breath while the provider listens.
These tests may be done:
- A chest x-ray.
- An electrocardiogram (ECG).
- Echocardiography, often called an echo test of the heart.
If a valve problem is suspected, the provider will usually refer you to a cardiologist.
Treatment
Innocent murmurs do not need specific cardiac treatment. Most heart valve problems can be treated successfully. Treatment may include medicines to control symptoms and keep the heart pumping well, heart-healthy lifestyle changes to treat other related heart conditions, or surgery to repair or replace a valve.
You may need surgery even if you have no symptoms. Fixing the valve can help prevent future heart problems. Valve repair has fewer risks than valve replacement, so repair is preferred when it is possible.
When to see a doctor
Tell your doctor if you or your child has dizziness, tiredness, or swelling in the feet, ankles, belly, or neck. Heart valve disease can get worse over time if it is not treated.
Call 911 or go to the emergency room if you have chest pain or discomfort that lasts two minutes or more, you faint or lose consciousness, or you have severe trouble breathing.
How a direct primary care or concierge doctor fits in
A direct primary care doctor charges a flat monthly fee instead of billing insurance, while a concierge doctor usually charges more and often works alongside insurance. Either can listen to the heart, explain test results, refer you to a cardiologist, and follow up over time.
Common questions
Is a heart murmur dangerous?
Not always, because many heart murmurs are harmless. Other murmurs can point to a heart problem, so a doctor needs to check.
Do children with heart murmurs need treatment?
Not always, because children often have murmurs as a normal part of development. These murmurs do not need treatment. A significant murmur in a child is more likely to come from a heart defect, so a doctor should check it.
Can exercise or fever cause a heart murmur?
Yes, extra blood flow through the heart can cause a murmur. Examples include exercise, pregnancy, high emotional stress, and fever or illness.
Can a heart murmur mean a valve problem?
Yes, sometimes a murmur means a heart valve is not working normally. A provider may hear abnormal sounds, such as a click or a heart murmur, and then refer you to a cardiologist.
Sources
- MedlinePlus - Heart murmurs
- MedlinePlus - Heart Valve Diseases
- MedlinePlus - Ventricular septal defect
Medical Disclaimer
This content is for general educational and informational purposes only and is not medical advice. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and reading it does not create a doctor-patient relationship. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions about a medical condition, and never disregard or delay seeking professional advice because of something you read here. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call 911 (or your local emergency number) immediately.
