Guide To The Causes Of Heart Murmurs

Rapid Growth Spurts

Infants and children who experience rapid growth spurts can develop an innocent heart murmur. This can apply to up to forty to forty-five percent of children. Growth spurts are defined as periods in which infants, children, or adolescents suddenly grow quickly in a short period. Innocent heart murmurs occur due to blood flowing more rapidly than normal through the individual's heart. Infants and children with an innocent heart murmur, including one caused by rapid growth spurts, have a normal heart. In many cases, innocent heart murmurs require no treatment. They often disappear over time, but even if they last for the affected individual's entire life, they often do not trigger additional health issues.

Valve Calcification

Patients can develop a heart murmur due to valve calcification, particularly aortic valve calcification. This condition occurs when calcium deposits build up on the heart valves as blood flows over the aortic valve repeatedly. The result is a hardening and thickening of the valves. It is vital to note that research has not linked calcium deposits in the heart valves to calcium supplements or products fortified with calcium. Instead, valve calcification is typically the result of another condition, including aortic valve stenosis or congenital aortic valve defects. As the aortic valve narrows and hardens, it makes it harder for blood to flow, which is what causes the heart murmur.