Heart Murmur - Sound Beach,NY

Having worked in a Pediatric Cardiology Group of Yale
and having a son with the same thing, I can honestly say
that 99.9% of the time they are innocent and will go
away. A referral to a cardiologist is the proper thing
to do. You must remember docs have to cover themselves.
Try not to worry.

Hi Robin,

Heart murmurs are very common. It does not sound like your son has any other symptoms, which usually indicates it is a benign murmur. Is your son thriving, eating well, playing, running around, does he breath easily?

My daughter (8 Years old) has been going to a cardiologist since she was 3 months old for heart murmur and pulmonary stenosis (narrowing of the pulmonary valve) at first I was freaked out by it. She is stable and does not have any symptoms and probably never will. On the bright side, My daughter will be closely watched and if anything does develop, it will be caught before it causes any problems (most likely not until old age if at all).

The cardiologist visit will most likely consist of an exam by the Cardiologist, An EKG (to evaluate the rhythm of his heart and rate)tiny sticker will be placed on his chest and legs, then tiny wires will be attached to the stickers (this is not scary, ped cardiologist and their staff are very good with children) and an ultrasound which will show the structure and function of the heart. similiar to the ultrasound that you had when he was inutero.

This visit should give you peace of mind and you should not have to wait for any results, the cardiologist will read the test while you are there. Our cardiologist is at Yale, there is a clown and toys in the waiting room that make it fun for the kids.

feel free to contact me if you want to ask me an questions.
Sarah

Hi Robin.. My son, who is now 5 had a heart murmur since birth. heart murmurs in baby is quite common. However, at his three year old checkup theystill heard it. My dr. didnt' t hink it was anything but me being a nurse wanted him to see a cardiologist. We went to a pedi cardiologist and had an EKG done which was normal. She also thought it was benign and offered to do an echocardiogram, but didn't thi nk we needed it. I opte to not do it at that time. Well at his 4 year check up, our pedi still heard the murmur so I went back for the echocardiogram which came out normal. The cardiologist said it is just a benign heart murmur with nothing to be done or any cause for concern. At his 5 year check up our pedi could only hear it when my son was squatting down. he did not hear it when he was standing or laying. I hope this sheds some light on it and the fact that many people have innocent heart murmurs and are just fine!! good luck!

My daughter was born with ventral septal defect. In any kind of a case involving children, or adults too, the Doctor you have means everything. We saw Dr. Chandra, he is the head of pediatric cardiology at Monmouth Medical Center - and he also is affiliated with Deborah. In my daughters case it was difficult to get a definitive answer answer on the sonogram because the part of her heart in question was extremely difficult to see. In our case Dr. Chandra's experience meant everything in terms of making an accurate diagnosis. He was able to take the results from the battery of tests, scans, etc. and all of the listening he did to her heart and form what turned out to be an exactly correct diagnosis of her hearts' problem and the outcome of that diagnosis. At first I had my doubts because he seemed to spend so much time listening to her, but I soon realized he has an enormous library of heartbeats in his head - almost like the hearts are talking to him. He listened, listened and listened some more ... He helped us understand and accept that especially in children it can be very difficult to make an accurate diagnosis as the child is growing and changing everyday, and so is the condition. My little girls' problem was very serious and could have been life threatening, but thanks to Dr. Chandra she was fine and now is planning her sweet 16 Birthday party. So - if you need a good pediatric cardiologist or just want a second opinion, call Dr. Chandra, Long Branch. Good Luck and Prayers to you and your little one.

Yes....with my 3 kids they all have the innocent murmur.

I did took them to an specialist and had all the test done.

usually they hear them when the children are sick. After the specialist told us that there was nothing to worry, again i did insist on having all the test just to make sure.

Hi!
Our pediatrician detected heart murmurs in both my girls at their last physical (Dec 08). She said that it is very common for children to have "developmental" heart murmurs, that it usually nothing to worry about and that they often outgrow them. Apparently it is easier to hear a murmur in children b/c their heart is closer to the chest wall? Anyway, she wasn't worried at all about my older daughter (she's 8) but she was concerned about my younger one (4) b/c it sounded "different". We went to a pediatric cardiologist (an appt that took forever to get), they did an EKG and then an echocardiogram. Turns out that she has her own unique "rhythm" and that is just her normal and nothing to worry about. Many people had told me that a murmur is easily managed if it was a problem. Needless to say we are thankful that she is ok. The cardiologist we saw specialized in peds and was great with her. The biggest challenge was just having to lie still for the 30 minutes to do the echocardiogram. Good Luck as you work through this!

Robin
Most murmurs are nothing and people are walking around with them all the time and they need no treatment.
Yes, I agree that you should get it checked out and it will give you peace of mind...you just need a good cariologist to evaluate him and then to sit and talk to you about it.
I have had a murmur my whole life.
(I am 46)....No issues with it.
It was heard more in times of stress....like when my brother passed away and I was having a tough time.
Or right after I had my daughter and all the hormones were going crazy to get my body back on track.
Now they do not hear it for the most part ...only a choice few Doc's hear it.
Hang in there...I do remember my Mom being so upset when I was told I had it. She felt like she failed me in some way. My brother was born with CF, so when she heard this with me, she felt like she couldn't do anything right.
As parents we take a lot on our shoulders....but a lot of things we cannot control.
Just take him to the cardiologist and try to be calm.
I wouldn't say get on the internet as the web can get us crazy if we read too much into things.
Just wait to see what the Dr says.
God bless and good luck with everything!
P.

My son, now 3yrs old have also a innocent murmur and he was send to a cardiologist when he was just 1yr. so far he is fine he plays well with other kids. He just had his 3yrs well visit and the doctor said to me that it may never go away and the only thing is that when he get sick his heart will pump faster than a normal heart his age. My advice to you is not to worry about it and just ask God to be with your son, God is always in control.

Ironic enough...we JUST got back from the pediatric cardologists today (Pediatric Cardiology of WNY). My daughter was born with complete heart block (heartbeat of 50), had a pacemaker implanted when she was 9 days old (she's 16 mo. now), and developed dilated cardiomyopathy (huge heart, low squeeze). I am a mom who knows how important it is to get the kids checked out as soon as something out of the ordinary presents itself. Please try not to freak out. MANY MANY people have heart murmurs that are nothing more than that, and do not require anything...not even medication. I know a woman whose child grew out of having a murmur. If you don't notice any symptoms (discoloration of lips, cold feet, shortness of breath, pulling at his chest, being lethargic, etc.) there is a good chance that it could be something very minor...or nothing at all. When you do go into the cardios. they will most likely do an EKG ( 10 "stickers" that get stuck to your son and feed info. into a computer), and an ECHO (an ultrasound of his chest). No test should hurt him at all or cause him any pain. You will finally have the answers you need. He may be required to wear a Holter monitor for 24 hours to monitor his heart's activity, and to monitor for any irregular activity. Hope all goes well. Feel free to e-mail back if you want to "talk" more.
S.

Robin...get him checked by a pc. I will happily recommend my sons if you live near me. He was born with a severe heart defect and sees a PC regularly. As the other moms said, heart murmurs are VERY common and mostly harmless. Just remember that your child feeds off your anxiety. Make this trip "non-eventful" for him. They will take a background, blood pressure, weight and height, and an EKG. NOTHING PAINFUL. Let me know if you want the name of my PC. Best of everything!

I feel your fear !

I had the exact same issue with my son. He went to the cardiologist and he felt there was nothing to worry about.

One thing though try to explain to him exactly what the dr will do, my son was a little freaked out by the test (ekg) he didnt understand why he was sticking things on him or what the wires were for. You may want to explain to him exactly what will happen & that there is nothing to worry about.

Good luck !

I am 31 now and was born with the same condition. I am perfectly fine and still on occasion a Dr will tell me that they hear my heart murmur, it depends on if the listen well. The only thing I do is take antibiotics before I go to the dentist. I have a daughter who is 1 and have never had any complecation or issues. In fact other then giving birth, I have never had any surgeries or stitches. So he will be fine I am sure of it.

We just went through this with my 2 yr old. Since 6 months they could hear the murmur and said it was innocent. I needed to know for sure so we just had the EKG & EEG done right in the cariologist office. The dr said it's nothing to worry about and we don't need to come back for follow up. Don't panick, it's better to have him checked out so you'll have peace of mind.

My daughter has had her murmur for several years now. She just turned 4 last month and they heard it still. Don't worry about it, as he grows it will go away. Don't get yourself crazy going to the cardiologist. My daughter also has a hernia that they are just watching, they feel it will correct itself, so we watch. He will be fine!! :)

I rarely reply to post but this one hits me personally. Our lovely 2 year old daughter was born with a heart condition and she sees a cardiologist on a regular basis. I understand your fear.... I have gone through the same BUT you can perfectly well have a murmur and have no ohter heart issues. Murmur is a simple noise and a lot of people go throught their whole life not knowing they have one. On the other hand it is wise to check and nowaday the pediatric field is so advanced that there is very little to worry about.
We have a wonderful pediatric cardiologist part of st vincent hospital, downtown NYC. If you would like his info let me know

Good luck and do not worry!!!

Hi Robin,

I totally understand what you are going through. I just had my second son this past August and at discharge from the hospital our Pediatrician heard a heart murmur in our 3 day old! I cried and was totally upset as well (lack of sleep, hormones, and worry all in one). He automatically referred us to a Pediatric Cardiologist who we saw the next day (for our piece of mind as well). He did tell us that heart murmurs in babies, children and very common. In our son's case, the Cardiologist did an echocardiogram to look at our son's heart and he did indeed have a small-moderate hole in his heart. He called it a VSD (ventricular septum defect). We just had our 1 month follow-up echo this week and the good news is that the hole has slightly gotten smaller. Our next follow-up with him is not until the Spring and we will go through the echo again. Now..I am still worried as a mother should be... but everyone, I mean everyone told me that small VSD's usually close up on their own as babies grows but on the other hand, sometimes they do not and they can live completely normal lives with small holes in the heart but just be monitored, etc. Given that your son is now 4 and has a heart murmur on and off being heard could really be anything or nothing until a Cardiologist actually see what is going on...who knows... I've been told that heart murmurs are not a diagnosis in itself but a cause of another underlying issue IF there is one.. hence the referral to the cardiologist. Also in my son's case, VSD are usually genetic and I found out that my Grandfather had a hole in his heart was not diagnosised with it until in his 70's after having a stroke! My Grandmother always said that when she had her head on his chest she could hear the swooshing sound from the heart murmur. Please send me a message if you would like more support or just need to chat, as I am going through it now myself and sometimes it is nice to hear from someone else too! Good luck with your appointments. Stay positive! C.

My youngest daughter had the same exact thing right when she was four - we went to the children's hospital in morristown where they did an echo cardiogram. it showed nothing at all & the pediatric cardiologist assured us that it was nothing to worry about. she has never had an trouble related to it and we don't need to follow up unless it persists. I know this won't make u feel 100% w/it, but believe me we did a whole ton of worrying too. It's to be expected. Good luck!

Don't be freaked out. probably if there was something major they would have detected it already. My ped heard a slight murmur in my 4month old and we saw the ped cardiologist. Turns out it was a small piece of tendon vibrating-innocent. Better to know than not. Good luck.

hi robin,
our daughter (now 15 yrs) was diasgnosed with an innocent murmur at about 18 months. we went to a ped cardiologist to have a baseline. our regular ped told us that it usu. disappears during puberty. it did, just this year.
no worries, but i would go to a cardio ped for peace of mind. innocent murmur is not a bad thing to have. i believe there are 3 or 4 kinds and the innocent is the best...because innocent means not harmful.
good luck.
R.

I had the same experience with my son who his ped. never detected heart mur. before his 5 year old well visit. Coincisently he had a fever virus the week before his visit and she heard it and sent me to a ped. cardiologist. He has an innocent heart murmor and a biscuspid aortic valve. Both are very beningn conditions and require zero treatment. The murmur is a sound that the heart makes when the blood is going through the valves, Nothing more. I hope you had your visit and all went well.. I was a wreck too. The biscuspid aortic voalve is also no big deal. It all just sounds bad. Everyone in the dr.s office was very reassuring. No worries!!!

My 3 month old son had same thing and had to bring him to cardiologist. They thouroghly checked him out and said he was perfect. they said it was a normal murmur. I'm sure your son is fine but definitly take him to make sure. They did an ultrasound of his heart and a few other tests all non invasive.

it is so common- i have one as do several of my family members. while i get checkups yearly (EKG's and eccocardiograms) it is benign and inconsequential.

Please do check it out. It might be nothing. But they also told my daughter that it was nothing to worry about when she was younger, but now at 20 she has chest pains and some issues, not anything major but enough for concern. She has been seeing a cardiologist who informed her that she is ok, but advised to take yearly checks from now on. When the pain comes it is sharp and she gets scared, yet all 3 cardiologists we went to for second opinions said the same thing. "many people are living with that and they do not know". Check it out to be on the safe side

Hi Robin,
I understand your concern. I have a heart murmur (found when I was in second grade). I have never been restricted from physical activity, and I don't need to take antibiotics when I go to the dentist (some people with murmurs do). I'm concerned for my two sons (3 1/2 years and 4 1/2 months), but as of yet the doctor has not heard any irregular beats. If your ped isn't concerned, I'm sure your son will be fine. The cardiologist is probably just a check to confirm what your ped already said. I know it sounds scary though. Keep us posted. :o)

My 23 y/o EXTREMELY fit and athletic son had a murmur when he was little and went through the cardiologists testing and nothing was done and he has always been very healthy. The only thing he had to do is have antibiotics before any dental work. I am sure this is just a juvenile heart murmur, but isnt it better to have an expert opinion than to wonder and worry?

Yes, take hiim to the cardiologist, but don't freak out. I have had a heart murmer since I was born, I'm 45 and have two daugthers (neither inherited the murmur) and it has never been a problem for me. A cardiologist visit 2x a year until I was about 11 was all that evern happened. I never even needed to take antibiotics before a dentist appointment. Take your child to the cardiologist where the information you get will help you feel calmer. This is not life threatening or the doctors would have immediately admitted him to a hospital. So... don't panic, I'm sure he'll be fine.

Hi Robin,

Both my daughters have innocent heart murmurs. Natalie was about 18 months or so and Amelia when she was about 2. Our pediatrician recommended we go to the cardiologist just to have them checked out but assured me that they would be fine. The cardiologist reassured me after all the tests were done that they were indeed okay. It was an innocent heart murmur and nothing more. She said that this type of murmur is actually more common than most people think. She also said that it will come and go. Sometimes when Natalie has her well visit (she is 6 now) they can hear it, other times not. The doctor told me that it will in no way hinder her activity or anything like that. I would take your son to see the cardiologist to make sure that in fact it is an innocent murmur and have them explain everything to you. Our cardio. was great - she was understanding (I was a wreck too) and explained everything in great detail. My friend's son went through this too and their doctor drew pictures to explain what was happening with the heart. I know it's easier said than done, but try not to worry until you definitely know there is something to worry about.
Good luck!
Jen

Don't panic, I am sure she's fine. Get it checked, just to be safe, but don't worry. My now 11 year old had that as a baby and now the doctor never even mentions it. in fact the only reason i remembered about it was from reading your post.
Good luck.

Hi Robin,

My son was diagnosed with a murmur also. My pediatrician told me not to worry about it that he would probably out grow it in time. Unfortunately, he is now 19 and undergoing a cardiac workup as his internist, who is a cardiologist also, had found a double murmur. Please find yourself a good pediatric cardiologist and get your son checked. It may be scary but at least you can deal with the problem knowing what your dealing with. Hoping its really nothing and good luck!!!!

Hi Robin,
It is most likely NOTHING to worry about. Almost all kids have heart murmurs at one time or another and if it was something to worry about, it would have been noticed more seriously earlier. Look at this link: http://www.keepkidshealthy.com/welcome/commonproblems/hea...
it might help.
Generally, from what I understand, and I am not at all qualified in the medical profession (though I think being a mom makes you worry and read up a lot), the Dr's say you should check it out to cover their own asses. They can tell if it is innocent, but with the very slight chance they may be wrong, they don't want to get sued.
I would not worry about it but I would get it checked out.
My daughter has one and if she still has it by two we can to do an noninvasive surgery to fix it... I suppose we will cross that bridge when we come to it (in December).
Anyhow, I would not worry, it is more the insane fear that there could possibly be something wrong with your child. Look on the internet, it could make you feel better to know that almost all kids have them at one time or another.
Good luck,
J

Hi Robin
I am sorry you have been so worried about your son. I was diagnosed with an innocent heart murmur when I was born, and 2 of my children also have them. Mine only shows up when I am sick. My son's only shows up when he is sick. Our daughter has low weight issues so hers shows up more often. So when is it necessary to be concerned. Ask you MD, but for me and mine when I couldn't run/walk the mile at school within the time limit, I had to have tests-- still no problem I could take care of me. My son played baseball, basketball,& in a volleyball league; he is today a volleyball coach at the college level.
Our daughter never saw the cardiologist til she was in college and they heard it and since it hadn't been tested out they felt the need to do that.
I trust that your son will have as good a prognosis, but ask.
God bless you
K. --- SAHM married 39 years --- adult children 38, coach; 33, lawyer, married with son; twins 19 in college.

A heart murmur is when one of the valves of the heart doesn't quite close all the way and some of the blood goes back into the previous chamber. Actually they are very common. It's estimated that as much as 75% of the population has them, but their to minor to detect. I would see the cardiologist. But as long as he's running around and acting normally. He doesn't seem run down or tires easily after exercising, I wouldn't worry. My mom's wasn't detected until she was in her late 50's early 60's. Her doc (a cardiologist) told her she could have had it her whole life, but it could have been so minor it was never found. If he doesn't act any differently then usual, I wouldn't worry.

Don't freak out. A cardiologist is just a 2nd opinion to make sure it's nothing serious which it probably isn't!

My mom told me I had a heart murmur when I was 6/7 and I "grew" out of it. I've never had any issues that I'm aware of.

When my son was 8 months old his ped told me he heard a murmur. We went to the cardiologist right away b/c my mother in law was born with a heart condition that required surgery. I as very scared. They hooked him up to an ekg and did and ultrasound and found that everything was fine. The cardiologist said it would probably go away and no one has ever said they heard one again (he is 4 now). For me that appointment with the cardiologist made a huge difference.

My son also has a innocent murmur. They heard it at birth and sent me to a cardiologist as a precaution. Everything was fine. They still hear it sometimes and they almost always hear when he is running a fever. I would absolutely get it checked out.

when our son was at his 2nd year well visit, our ped heard a heart murmur too. he also said it was nothing but he did refer us to a ped. cardiologist....his name is thomas connor and he is in livingston nj.....he is wonderful and does a very good examine....our son's murmur is closing like it should...but to ease your mind i would def. have him checked by a cardiologist....hope this helps!!!