I took my son to the doctor yesterday because he was having headaches and a low-grade fever. As they checked him, the DR detected a heart murmur right away. All three of my kids have been checked for this because of family medical history. My son is 3, will be 4 yrs old in 3 months. They have never heard it and now are referring me to a pediatric cardiologist. Has anyone else gone through this? Any advice?
Thanks for the responses and for the reassurance. I have an appointment for August 13th with a pediatric cardiologist Dr. Messina. My son's pediatrician told me to keep an eye on him and if I notice any difference in his breathing or energy level to take him to the ER immediately. I'll let you know what happens once I take him to the specialist! Thanks again! Keep Praying!
Yep...me and my children all had them. I still have mine but the kids straightened out by the time they were 6 and 10. My youngest daughter (3) still has a slight one but she also had a valve in her heart that didn't close until last September.
Have the cardio check it out and monitor it for a few years. these things usually subside in time.
Nanc
Hi D.,
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!
Hi D.
God bless you as you walk through the Specialist route. Remember all Good things come from the Lord and the doctor's wisdom is a good thing.
2 of my children have heart murmurs but they were detected at birth or shortly after. Glad you are headed to specialist and I will be praying. Oh by the way, I too had a heart murmur, detected shortly after birth. Never knew it til HS when I passed out after gym class. Long story, but the MD thought that I was better off handling it with my own knowing of my body. I did til teacher pushed further than she should have. It was on my records.
Consequently both mine knew before HS.
God bless you
Please let me know what happens at the cardiologist. I will be praying for a full recovery, til I hear what more to pray
K. -- SAHM married 38 years -- adult children 38, coach with heart murmur;33 lawyer; and twins 19 in college.
I have had a heart murmer since birth and it has never been a problem. Of course there are different kinds and degrees of heart murmers so the cardiologist is the best place to go. Don't panic, I never even had to take antibiotics before the dentist. I can't diagnose your child but the cardiologist will probably monitor the murmer periodically over the years (I used to go 2x a year for EKGs). The Doc will also tell you what kind of care your child needs (if any). Good luck, I'm sure your will all be fine.
Both my grandsons had to have tests done for the same thing. Both were 3 when their doctor heard it for the first time. Now they are 5 & 6 and there is no sign of a heart murmur. The doctor said that most children have heart murmurs at one time or another. Usually they have what is called an innocence heart murmur. They are nothing to worry about. The heart is normal and the murmurs go away on their own. If it is something to worry about the test will show it. And the doctor will give you instructions. Take him to the pediatric cardiologist and get it checked out.
After having worked with a Pediatric Cardiologist, I can
say most murmurs turn out to be very innocent. My son
had one when he was young. Doctor should be able to
put your mind at ease. However, if it is not an innocent
murmur, you are in good hands. Good luck. Let us know
how you make out.
One of my adopted sons had a heart murmur, called juvenile heart murmur, and the only thing I had to do was give him antibiotics before any dental procedure. He was always very active, athletic and today is 23 and still healthy and active. The murmur went away.
My youngest daughter developed one and all they had to do was an echo cardiogram. Everything turned out to be fine - I'll admit I was a nervous wreck right up until the cardiologist told us everything was fine. What's usually good w/this test is that the cardiologist will let you know things are okay right away. Good luck!
