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Whether you’ve developed a heart murmur or have had it since birth, at Heart of Dixie Cardiology, we can help diagnose whether it is innocent or abnormal. With the correct diagnosis and tests, we can develop a treatment plan for your heart murmur today.
A heart murmur is a sound made from the turbulent blood in or near your heart. These are typically swishing or whooshing sounds, which can be heard from a stethoscope. Heart murmurs can be innocent, meaning no treatment is needed, or abnormal, which could require follow-up treatment.
Heart murmurs are more likely to happen under several conditions. Risk factors of heart murmurs include:
An overactive thyroid
A weakened heart muscle
History of rheumatic fever
Infection in the lining of the heart
High blood pressure
Blood disorders
Heart valve disease
Autoimmune disorders
Innocent heart murmurs typically don’t show any signs. But abnormal heart murmurs can show any of the following symptoms:
If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, it’s a good idea to schedule an appointment with us. While most heart murmurs aren’t a serious condition, we’ll be able to tell you whether yours is innocent or abnormal.
Heart murmurs are typically diagnosed using a stethoscope during a physical exam. When we check for a heart murmur, we’ll be looking for how loud it is, the pitch, the location in your heart, when it occurs, and if certain activities affect the sound of your heart murmur. Other tests can help diagnose your heart murmur, such as an echocardiogram, which can determine the cause of it, or a chest X-ray to determine the location of your heart murmur.
If your heart murmur requires treatment, there are two main options: medication and surgery. The type of specific heart murmur you are diagnosed with will determine the type of treatment best for you. Some medications that could be prescribed are blood thinners, water pills to remove excess fluids, or statins to lower cholesterol. Surgeries include valve repair, and in some cases, valve replacement.
If you’re showing signs of a heart murmur, be sure to reach out to us at Heart of Dixie Cardiology to schedule an appointment. We’ll diagnose your condition, determine if it is harmless or abnormal, and develop a treatment plan for your heart murmur if necessary. Contact your nearest location today to schedule an appointment.
If your heart murmur requires treatment, there are two main options: medication and surgery. The type of specific heart murmur you are diagnosed with will determine the type of treatment best for you. Some medications that could be prescribed are blood thinners, water pills to remove excess fluids, or statins to lower cholesterol. Surgeries include valve repair, and in some cases, valve replacement.
If you’re showing signs of a heart murmur, be sure to reach out to us at Heart of Dixie Cardiology to schedule an appointment. We’ll diagnose your condition, determine if it is harmless or abnormal, and develop a treatment plan for your heart murmur if necessary. Contact your nearest location today to schedule an appointment.
Heart of Dixie Cardiology is a specialty subset of the Revere Health group. We have over a dozen cardiology providers throughout our locations to give you the specialized heart care that you deserve.
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