15 Heart Murmur Symptoms That May Indicate Serious Issues

Jeff King

2. Dyspnea: Unexplained Shortness of Breath

Pensioner breathing heavily after training physical activity elderly man dyspnea sporty athlete. Photo Credit: Envato @jm_video

While exertion naturally quickens breath, persistent or unexplained shortness of breath (dyspnea) is a grave symptom of a serious heart murmur. This occurs because a faulty heart valve (like a narrowed aortic valve) forces the heart to work harder, leading to blood backing up into the lungs. Initially, dyspnea may only manifest during activity, but as conditions worsen, it can appear with minimal exertion or even at rest, especially when lying flat. This symptom is the body's desperate plea for oxygen, signaling critical cardiac strain and potential heart failure.

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2. Dyspnea: Unexplained Shortness of Breath

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