UPDATE: heart murmer in adults?

[Worriedkat]

This was my previous thread:

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/general_health/2076338-Are-these-heart-cardiac-warning-symptoms

So, I made it to the GP today. She said it was most likely musculoskeletal, but detected a faint heart murmer (which must be new, no doctor has ever picked that up before). So she has referred me for an echo test.

So of course I am scared now! She said that 7 out of 10 cases are just a floppy valve which needs no treatment, but she wouldnt be drawn on the other 3 out of 10. She said the letter with the appointment would come through in 2-4 weeks, so she cant be expecting me to drop dead any day soon (hopefully).

Am trying not to google. Anyone heard of this? I have no idea if there's a worst case scenario or not. I am 39, overweight but not seriously obese, diet a bit rubbish sometimes but I don't drink or smoke.

Best to be safe. Don't google stuff at this stage, await to see what the experts say. We aren't doctors.

My sister discovered she had a heart murmur when she was pregnant. She went on to have four children and has never had any problems. They are apparently very common and nearly always benign. You have probably had it for ages as faint ones are very hard to pick up afaik.

The heart murmur might be nothing, but at least you'll be getting an echocardiogram, which is an excellent diagnostic test, which should be able to reassure you.

trying not to worry

I did the dreaded google and it suggests a leaky valve and mild cases don't need treatment. Let's hope it's that or nothing at all. Maybe it's like when a gp found a swollen lymph node in my armpit, worried silly until saw the consultant/sonographer who couldn't even find a lump.

Heart problems seem unpredictable. My grandmother had a triple bypass in her 50's and lived to 100, whereas a colleague was largely asymptomatic until died very suddenly of a massive heart attack. I suppose the best thing is that it is being investigated, surely gp would have referred me urgently if it could be serious??

I asked if diet and exercise lack of could affect it, she said that affects everything. Bit of a non answer really. Somehow I find knowing the worst case scenario easier than the unknown.

Am wondering if I should pay to have a private scan. GP said I wouldn't just drop dead and the murmur was very faint, but the random pains are definitely still there :(

Should I trust the gp and wait it out?

You'll be fine, it's quite safe to wait. Try to distract yourself and not think about it all the time

Thank you Inspacenoonecanhearyouscream. Had a few sharp pains today but it does seem better with distraction. Or maybe cos I took an aspirin as heard that might help. Can't understand why my heart would suddenly have this murmur, the waiting part is hard.

You might have had it years- if you have a look at other threads- some people have intermittent ones, harmless ones, ones that can only occaisonally be heard....all sorts. It may mean nothing at all.

Heart murmurs are really quite common and even if they do indicate a problem with one of your heart valves, chances are it won't affect your health. The majority of people with heart valve problems live happily without needing any treatment. If you had a valve problem which was causing chest pain at rest, you'd be getting pain on exertion too, as well as breathlessness and tiredness too.

Even if you needed surgery (which is incredibly unlikely) then heart surgery is really very safe these days. Your doctor has referred you to be cautious and put your mind at rest. I honestly don't think you have anything to worry about, just see the specialist and then you can be certain.

I had something similar.
When I was 13 they discovered I had heart murmur. I did all the tests under the sun after which I was told that it was nothing and that I would sort of grow out of it. And really, not another doctor in over a decade heard that murmur. But fast forward 14 years, I felt sharp pain in my chest and generally most of my joints were achy. I went to GP and she was concerned about possible cardiac problems, so she examined me really carefully with that in mind. And she was the first doctor to actually notice the murmur in almost 15 years. The murmur was so mild that no other dr noticed it, but then again up until that point I never went to see a doctor with symptoms which may indicate possible heart issues. What I am saying is that it's possible that you have heart murmur for a very long time and that it is not linked to the symptoms you have now. Just because no doctor noticed it, it doesn't mean it was not there. But of course they need to investigate it further because after all they have two things that point to the same organ.
I went on to have heart ultrasound, MRI, x rays, etc. Everything was fine and I was told it was just one of those things (basically they had no idea what it was). The pain in my joints went away after couple of months and that was 7 years ago. GP was concerned initially because of possible rheumatic fever which presents with joint pain and is caused by strep bacteria which can damage heart muscle.

Thank you all. Daft question but do you think I need to take it easy or not? I'm a bit scared of exerting myself in case it gets worse (not that exertion has affected it yet).

A few pains this morning, took another aspirin. Can't hurt?

No you don't need to take it easy. Aspirin doesn't hurt but I don't think you need it

Should I try ibuprofen maybe? Anything to dull the pains down so I can pretend they've gone away and I'm imagining it all

Went for a country walk today. Pains no more frequent than when at rest. Also survived the fair rides last weekend with DS1 :)

Ibuprofen would prob work best for pain. Do you drink coffee by the way? Coffee used to give me left sided twingey nerve pains.

So far so good. Had one ibuprofen and it's dulled the pains. It's as if I can feel they're happening but there's no pain with them (sort of like braxton hicks). I've painted a whole room with no problems :)

It's all very odd.

Trying to drink decaf coffee as the GP wants me to come off omeprazole so I need to make 'lifestyle changes'. It's just remembering to always make decaf separately though!

I had/have a heart mumur, it was found when I was 26.
It was a smallish hole between the left and right side of the heart and therefore it was there from birth.
Never knowingly caused me any problems and due to the size was advised to have it fixed but there was no immediate rush as it was found during pregnancy. Had no special care or anything while pregnant/in labour.

If it is found to be a murmur then they may advise to have it fixed to prevent any Future possible complications that may or not happen.

sniffy was it a big op? Did any doctors listen to your chest beforehand and miss the murmur?

I am feeling a bit guilty in case being overweight has caused this (size 18). Google seems to think not Is it just a random thing?

No not a big op at all they went in a vein in my groin and basically fed the patch thing up and popped it out to close the hole.

It was debatable whether I had one as a baby but was deemed that there was no hole just could hear a slight murmur noise.... Then it was picked up 26 years later and confirmed that yes actually I do have a hole!

Its a congenital thing which means you are born with it. The hole is Present when a baby in The womb and it should close naturally when born but in some people it doesn't.

I have one and have never had any issues.

I have one ,as does my very healthy athletic sister; no issues. Unless it's very significantly abnormal don't fret too much, it's a natural variant of the norm.

My dm has had a heart murmur all her life - she is a very healthy 84 year old and still going strong!!!

My 17 year old DD has a heart murmur. It was found when she was about 8 and was being examined for something else. She had an echocardiogram and we were told that she was absolutely fine and there was nothing to worry about.

I am doing better today on ibuprofen, much better. Lovely to have less pains. Perhaps it's muscle/nerve related after all. Not even the full allowed dose. Is that a good sign, or not relevant?

It's a good sign. I doubt ibu would help if it were your heart. *DISCLAIMER I am not medically qualified

thank you. Am really appreciating general opinions but am not relying on them from a medical viewpoint. It's helpful if people spot red flags and I then feel better about kicking up a fuss to get seen quicker by the GP etc.