Heart murmur

[Jux]

Actually, I can't remember if that's what the GP did call it this morning, but it's very slight and he would have missed it if he hadn't been listening out for it - a very slight sssssshhhhh. He says it's over the aortic artery or valve - sorry, can't remember.

Given that my brother died last month of aortic valve disease, how worried should I be?

Thanks

A heart murmur just means the heart is making a different sound, but can be for many diff reasons. DS1 has an innocent heart murmor, and is perfectly healthy, DS2 had a heart murmur detected and when referred to hosp turned out to be a (minor) heart defect, which is now monitored and he is fine. Has the GP referred you to the hosp for an ecg or echo? This is the only way they can really know what the 'noise' is, try not to worry as will prob be v minor, but i would press for an appt at the hospital

I'm having ecg tomorrow and letter has gone off to consultant for appt for echo/whatever. Could be ages yet though, as it's Xmas! He did open the letter saying my bro had just died though - perhaps that will hurry them a little.

Hi, my DS also has a heart murmur - when he was being diagnosed, the view was that very quiet ones usually turned out to be innocent, so please don't worry too much at this stage. I assume it's not causing him any health problems? eg lack of growth, lack of energy, breathlessness etc? If he's generally healthy, there's every chance it's innocent, or at worst some minor problem, rather than something serious, despite your losing your brother.

My brother's condition was completely asymptomatic until the day he dropped dead at 49yo. This is apparently normal for aortic valve disease; no indication until death jumps up in middle age. It's also normal for any indication to be missed under normal circumstances and only picked up if specifically looked for, as happened today. This is why I'm not sure whether I should worry (ie, be careful) or not, as I'm two years older than him and have had no symptoms either.

So sorry to hear about your brother, that must have been horrific

Can you get yourself checked out? Just for peace of mind at least. Ds2's condition is asymptomatic, and was only picked up because of the heart murmur, his consultant said it can be the cause of sudden death in adults if undetected, but once picked up and monitored is easy to treat, so knowing is always better.

Echo is needed. Was your brother's condition aortic stenosis ( narrowing ) or aortic incompetence?

It has been shown that physical examintation is a poor indicator of the type and severity of any valve disease. Only ECG, ECHO and possibly caridac catherisation can really risk stratify.
That said innocent murmmurs are relatively common. Do you have any other health problems?

I've got ms, but other than I'm fit as a fiddle

I don't know whether it was stenotic or incompetent and have to ring the coroner and ask for PM.

Sorry to be nosey about such a sensistive issue but regarding your brother's condition ; sudden death due to valve problem sounds like aortic stenosis more than incompetence.

dont worry about a heart murmur as long as it is classed as 'innocent' Mine was diagnosed at 10 and i am now in my 50's. I play tons of sport and ski and play national badminton so dont worry.

PardonMyClench, tbh I don't really know what either of them are.

I have decided not to worry much, though. This is mainly because dd (10) is being referred to CAMHS and I've just been told that she's harbouring thoughts involving our kitchen knives so I've been told to hide them and to make sure all pills (I have lots due to ms) should be removed.

The whole situation we're in atm is appalling.

The ecg is normal as far as the nurse could tell. I'm relieved, but it's small fry atm.

sorry to hear about DD,you must be worried sick

Not Worried.

Murmurs are entirely due to turbulent blood flow through a heart valve and can only have one of two causes. Either the valve is narrow and hard OR the valve is dilated and leaks, there are four valves.

Sometimes in high blood pressure or heavy exercise or even normally there can be a faint murmur from the aortic valve, and this can be entirely innocent.

Your brother's condition is MOST unlikely to be anything to do with yours, the fainter the murmur the less serious it is likely to be and to be honest most GPs will be hard pressed to even hear a murmur let alone diagnose the cause.

Don't worry

'the fainter the murmur the less serious' not true - but not really relevant anyway.

Jux - you sound like you have an incredible amount going on - I am sorry but do go for the Echo at least - it might actually not need anything else being done.
Here's hoping it all turns out to be nothing and that your DD is OK.

not worried.

dd2 has an innocent murmur. was found when she was ill, and echo done.

dd1 was routinely scanned due to dh heart problems, and found to have a leaking mitrael valve. she just needs monitoring.

Jux - I agree with Clench on both points. Go for the Echo, you do have a lot on at the moment but best be safe.

I will go, of course I will. I think it'll be a while before they call for me anyway.

Thanks for the reassurance and the information. I need it atm.