Do Heart Murmurs Go Away? Causes, Diagnosis, and Treatment

Learn how heart murmurs develop, how they're diagnosed, potential for resolution, and current medical treatment options.

By Medha deb

Created on Sep 25, 2025

Learn how heart murmurs develop, how they're diagnosed, potential for resolution, and current medical treatment options.

Do Heart Murmurs Go Away? Understanding the Causes, Diagnosis, and Treatment

Heart murmurs are extra or unusual sounds heard during a heartbeat. They are often described as a whooshing or swishing noise and can be completely harmless or indicate an underlying heart problem. But do heart murmurs go away on their own? This article provides a thorough explanation of heart murmurs, their causes, symptoms, diagnosis, and the possibilities for resolution. We’ll also explore available treatment options and what to expect if you or your loved one is diagnosed with a heart murmur.

What is a Heart Murmur?

A heart murmur is a sound made by turbulent blood flow in or near your heart. The normal heartbeat creates two sounds, often described as “lub-dub.” A murmur is any additional sound that can be heard between heartbeats. These sounds are detected using a stethoscope during a routine physical exam.

Types of Heart Murmurs

Innocent (or functional) murmurs: Not related to heart disease and commonly occur in childhood. They are often harmless.
Abnormal murmurs: Result from structural heart problems such as faulty heart valves or congenital defects.

Common Symptoms of Heart Murmurs

Most innocent heart murmurs do not produce symptoms. They are generally found during routine check-ups. However, when a murmur is caused by an underlying heart condition, symptoms may occur.

Shortness of breath
Chest pain
Rapid heartbeat
Fatigue
Blue or gray skin (cyanosis)
Swelling of the legs, abdomen, or neck veins
Chronic cough
Heavy sweating, especially in children

If you or your child experiences these symptoms, medical evaluation is recommended.

What Causes Heart Murmurs?

Heart murmurs are caused by turbulent or abnormal blood flow through the heart’s valves or chambers. Not all murmurs indicate heart disease: some are harmless, while others might signal a problem. Major causes include:

Innocent heart murmurs: Common in children and young adults, often related to fever, rapid growth, or physical activity. Pregnancy and anemia can also temporarily cause innocent murmurs.
Heart valve disorders: Such as stenosis (narrowing) or regurgitation (leakage) of the mitral, aortic, tricuspid, or pulmonary valves.
Congenital heart defects: Structural issues present at birth, like septal defects or abnormal vessel connections.
Other medical conditions:
- Fever
- Thyroid disorders (hyperthyroidism)
- Anemia
- Rheumatic fever
- Endocarditis (heart infection)
- Cardiomyopathy
- Hypertension

Will Heart Murmurs Go Away?

Whether a heart murmur goes away depends on its underlying cause:

Innocent heart murmurs seen in children often disappear with age as the heart develops.
Murmmurs due to fever, anemia, or pregnancy usually resolve when the underlying condition is treated or the temporary physiological state ends.
Abnormal murmurs caused by heart valve disease or structural defects generally do not go away on their own and may require medical intervention.

In summary, innocent murmurs frequently go away after the cause is removed or with bodily development. Murmurs linked to structural problems persist until appropriately managed.

How Are Heart Murmurs Diagnosed?

Heart murmurs are most often found during a physical examination using a stethoscope. If a murmur is detected, your healthcare provider may ask about your medical history, family history, and symptoms before recommending further tests.

Physical Examination

Listening to the location, timing, pitch, and loudness of the murmur
Determining if the sound radiates to the neck or back
Observing any changes in murmur sound with body position or breathing

Diagnostic Tests

Echocardiogram: Ultrasound of the heart to assess structure and function, especially valve problems and blood flow abnormalities.
Electrocardiogram (ECG/EKG): Records the electrical activity of the heart to detect arrhythmias or heart enlargement.
Chest X-ray: Examines the size and shape of the heart and lungs; can detect heart enlargement often associated with abnormal murmurs.
Cardiac catheterization: Invasive test to examine heart function and blood vessels (occasionally needed if other tests do not explain the murmur).
Blood tests: Can identify causes such as anemia or thyroid dysfunction.
Other imaging: Such as MRI or CT when further clarification is necessary.

Table: Common Diagnostic Steps for Heart Murmurs

Test	Description	Purpose
Echocardiogram	Sound waves create images of heart structures and blood flow	Detects valve or chamber abnormalities
ECG/EKG	Records electrical signals in the heart	Finds arrhythmias, possible heart enlargement
Chest X-Ray	X-ray image of heart and lungs	Checks for enlarged heart or other lung issues
Cardiac Catheterization	Thin tube inserted into heart via blood vessels	Direct assessment of pressures, structural issues, and blood flow

Treatment of Heart Murmurs

The treatment for a heart murmur depends on its cause. Innocent murmurs usually require no intervention, while murmurs due to heart disease need to be managed based on the underlying issue.

When Treatment Is Not Required

Innocent murmurs in children and adults are harmless and do not need medicine or surgery.
Murmurs from temporary conditions (such as fever, anemia, or pregnancy) usually resolve when the condition does.

Treatment Options for Abnormal Murmurs

Medications:
- To treat high blood pressure, heart failure, or abnormal heart rhythms
- Antibiotics for heart infection (endocarditis)
- Diuretics to reduce fluid buildup
Surgical interventions:
- Heart valve repair or replacement (including minimally invasive techniques)
- Correction of congenital heart defects
- Pacemaker or defibrillator insertion if required
- Septal defect closure procedures
Lifestyle and monitoring:
- Ongoing monitoring by a cardiologist
- Regular heart health check-ups
- Managing underlying conditions like hypertension, diabetes, or thyroid disorders
- Adopting a heart-healthy lifestyle: no smoking, maintaining a healthy weight, regular physical activity, and a balanced diet

When to See a Doctor

Consult a healthcare provider if you experience symptoms such as chest pain, difficulty breathing, or unexplained fatigue. Recurring symptoms or sudden changes in health, especially in children, also warrant immediate medical attention. Early diagnosis allows for more effective management and reduces the risk of complications.

Complications Associated with Untreated Murmurs

Heart failure
Stroke
Pulmonary hypertension
Infections of heart valves (endocarditis)
Irregular heartbeats (arrhythmias)

Most innocent murmurs don’t progress to complications, but abnormal murmurs may if the underlying cause is left untreated.

Living with a Heart Murmur

Innocent murmurs: No activity restrictions or need for treatment. Most people lead normal lives.
Abnormal murmurs: Follow your healthcare provider’s advice closely. Take medications, attend regular follow-up appointments, and promptly report worsening symptoms.
Stay informed about risk factors for heart disease and maintain preventive health habits.

FAQs About Heart Murmurs

Can children outgrow heart murmurs?

Yes. Many children have innocent heart murmurs that often disappear as they grow older and their hearts mature.

Is a heart murmur always a sign of heart disease?

No. Innocent murmurs are very common and not linked to heart disease. Abnormal murmurs may indicate underlying problems but require medical evaluation to be sure.

Can adults develop heart murmurs later in life?

Yes. Adults can develop murmurs due to heart valve aging, high blood pressure, infections, or other cardiac conditions.

What does treatment usually involve?

Treatment ranges from regular observation (for innocent murmurs) to medications, lifestyle changes, or surgery for abnormal murmurs, depending on the cause and severity.

Should I worry if my child is diagnosed with a heart murmur?

In most cases, especially in children, heart murmurs are harmless and resolve over time. Your healthcare provider will advise you if further testing or treatment is needed.

Key Takeaways

Heart murmurs are common and often harmless, especially in children.
Many innocent murmurs resolve on their own and do not require treatment.
Murmurs linked to heart disease need appropriate medical evaluation and sometimes intervention.
Consult your healthcare provider about any symptoms or concerns for personalized advice.

References

Mayo Clinic: Heart murmurs – Diagnosis & Treatment
Cleveland Clinic: Heart Murmur: Causes, Symptoms, Treatment
WebMD: Heart Murmurs: Causes, Diagnosis, Treatment, Prevention
UPMC: Heart Murmurs Causes, Symptoms, and Treatments
UR Medicine: Heart Murmur

References

Author

medha deb

Medha Deb is an editor with a master's degree in Applied Linguistics from the University of Hyderabad. She believes that her qualification has helped her develop a deep understanding of language and its application in various contexts.

Read full bio of medha deb