Guide To The Causes Of Heart Murmurs

Hyperthyroidism

Hyperthyroidism is a medical condition where the thyroid gland produces an excessive amount of thyroid hormone. Nearly every process in an individual's body is sped up when more thyroid hormone is produced. Common symptoms include frequent nervousness, heat intolerance, fast heart rate, problems sleeping, excessive hunger, and weight loss. However, untreated hyperthyroidism induces more havoc on the heart muscle and cardiovascular system than just elevating the heart rate. An excess of thyroid hormone causes the heart muscle to work harder than it would otherwise.

An overstimulated thyroid gland can produce marked disturbances in a patient's heart rhythm. Overworking the heart can also create issues with how the valves work. Valve leaflets can become worn out and too thin, or they can become too stiff. Both problems with the valve leaflets can produce a heart murmur because the blood cannot flow through them properly. Blood can flow backward in the wrong direction, producing a heart murmur.

Septal Defects

The septa are the heart muscle walls that separate the left side and right side of the heart. A septal defect is a hole in the septa that allows blood flow between both the left and right sides of the heart. Septal defects can be present in the septa that separate the left and right atria of the heart, in the septa separating the left and right ventricles of the heart, or in both.

Most septal defects produce a shunting of blood from the left to the right side, which means blood that has already circulated through the lungs is forced back into the lungs. The abnormal flow of blood through an affected individual's heart due to a septal defect often causes an extra sound that can be heard with a stethoscope. An individual's heart murmur can vary in numerous characteristics depending on the exact location, size, and shape of the septal defect.