Does the presence of a heart murmur indicate a heart problem?
Usually not. There are two groups of murmurs: organic murmurs and innocent murmurs. Organic murmurs are produced by heart problems – some minor and some major. Innocent murmurs are normal murmurs, normal sounds produced by the blood flowing through the heart and vessels of the body. Innocent murmurs also are called functional murmurs or flow murmurs. 3. How common are heart murmurs? Murmurs are often present, especially in children. Heart disease accounts for less than 1% of heart murmurs. Most murmurs are innocent. Innocent murmurs may be present in up to 95% of normal persons at one time or another. 4. How does the physician tell the difference between an innocent and organic murmur? The physical examination is the first step in telling the difference. The evaluation also may include one or more of the following: A) electrocardiogram and/or vectocardiogram- a study of the electrical activity of the heart. B) Chest roentgenogram – an image of the heart produced by high frequency sound
