Guide To The Causes Of Heart Murmurs

Endocarditis

Endocarditis is a condition where an individual's interior heart lining becomes inflamed. Most cases of endocarditis are the result of an invasion by bacteria. The bacteria that have entered the body through unrelated means move through the blood to the heart, where they attach to any pre-existing unhealthy tissue in the lining. Once attached, the bacteria wreak more havoc on the heart muscle, causing valve damage and other problems.

Endocarditis can cause the leaflets of the heart valves to accumulate fibrous and dense tissue as the body attempts to repair any damage caused by the bacteria. When this scar tissue accumulates on the leaflets, the valve cannot close properly. When the heart valve leaflets are unable to close properly, blood leaks backward through them when it should be obstructed from flowing in such a direction. This backward flow of blood can cause an individual to develop a heart murmur.

Aortic Stenosis

Aortic stenosis, which is often called aortic valve stenosis, is a significant cause of some heart murmurs. This condition occurs when an individual's aortic valve narrows and fails to open completely. The result is a reduction or blockage of the blood flow from the heart into the aorta and the rest of the patient's body. In addition to a heart murmur, patients will also display symptoms such as chest pain, dizziness, heart palpitations, and shortness of breath. Patients need prompt and effective treatment for aortic stenosis to correct the heart murmur and prevent heart failure.