Heart Murmur

What can be done to prevent the condition?

Prevention is related to the cause. Treatment of strep throat with antibiotics can prevent cases due to rheumatic fever. Treatment of high blood pressure can prevent many cases due to congestive heart failure. Many cases cannot be prevented.

What are the long-term effects of the condition?

The long-term effects of heart murmurs depend on the cause. Innocent heart murmurs are normal and have no long-term effects. If the heart murmur is due to a serious cause, such as a heart attack or congestive heart failure, the underlying condition may cause death if not treated. In other cases, such as anemia or hyperthyroidism, treatment will often stop the murmur, and there may be no long-term effects.

What are the risks to others?

Heart murmurs are not contagious and pose no risk to others.