Murmur

An abnormal sound made by turbulent blood flow within the heart, indicating a functional or structural problem—also called heart murmur. Some common causes of heart murmurs: a heart valve structural abnormality (such as mitral valve prolapse), infection, endocarditis, aortic stenosis, or past rheumatic fever.

Symptoms:

If it is an innocent murmur — one that causes no harm — no heart-related symptoms are expected. When a heart murmur significantly interferes with the heart's ability to pump blood, the person may experience:

• shortness of breath
• light-headedness
• episodes of rapid heartbeat
• chest pain
• a lowered ability for physical exertion
• (in later stages) symptoms of congestive heart failure.