Diagnosed with a heart murmur.

[JRRhii]

my partner was told a few days ago she has a suspected heart murmur. We are both worried and anxious about this as neither of us know too much about it or what happens going forward. Unfortunatly i aS u able to go to the appointment.

She has been told she will be having an echocardiogram but we are waiting on the appoinment.

Dr said to avoid intesnse excersice untill this is carried out. What does intesnse excersice mean as we are both very active and like to train. My partner also has to train for a fitness test for work.

We are both anxious and on edge as we dont know what to expect or do going forward. Ca anyone give me/us some advice

Thanks

[Maisie2014]

my husband was diagnosed with a heart murmur when he had a routine medical by BUPA for work over 17 years ago. He went to see GP who checked him out and didn’t detect anything. A few years later he was told again on his routine check. The GP told him it was nothing to worry about and that it was only a leaking valve. He continued working and his fitness regime which consisted of HIIT, Zumba, swimming and tai chi. He is 79 years old and looks after me. He has slowed down and only swims, has daily walks and continues with tai chi. This is only my husband’s experience so please don’t go on what he does. Please don’t worry just do as your doctors tell you. Take care.

[Hidden]

Hello

We always feel worried when we get told something could be wrong with our hearts but heart murmurs are quite common and even babies can be born with them and they develop into nothing and sometimes no explanation as to why they can be heard

I had 3 heart attacks and a triple Bypass then all of a sudden after I had gone through all that my Doctor said I can hear a heart murmur

I went into a meltdown and was straight to my surgeon

She explained in my case I had a very slight leaky valve but so do lots of people and they never cause any harm

Until these tests are done and they are been cautious with the exercise I would think no training or fitness test just walks and gentle exercise , it is worth it till you know what is happening

I am sure work etc will understand

Hope that appointment comes soon and you will let us know how things go x

[bridgeit]

I am not medically trained. My opinion is based solely on personal experience.

I think 'intense' exercise means a tough cardio-vascular workout that keeps the heart pumping hard/fast for an extended period of time. It sounds as though the training/fitness test for work is designed to accelerate the heart rate (HR). It therefore seems wise for your partner to discuss their planned cardiac investigation and doctor's advice with those arranging the fitness test to establish training/test parameters that can either work within the doctor's advice or defer to a later date.

The doctor has referred for an echo investigation at this stage and is being cautious. Their advice to avoid intense exercise at the moment does not indicate an adverse prognosis.

My experience, in keeping with others' who have posted, is that a heart murmur that is picked up by a doctor unexpectedly rather than as a result of troubling symptoms such as unusual frequent breathlessness and/or sudden fainting spells, is not uncommon and could require no intervention at all, especially if one is already fit.

Try not to worry as stress/anxiety is really counter-productive for a number of health reasons. Stress alone can cause serious illness. Better to talk the situation through with the fitness test people, carry on with steady exercise for now and remain calm.

[it-whiz]

hello JRRhii

I would agree with the comments from Bridgeit about the intense exercise and again can only talk from my personal experience.

Until an out of hours GP detected a heart murmur and like most of us I suspect, knew very little about what a heart murmur is. Mine was caused by infective endocarditis and my subsequent journey is very unlikely to be one that your partner will take.

I now know that a heart murmur is the sound of some of the blood going back to the chamber of the heart it came from. BUT, as I understand it, it's very unusual for someone to have no regurgitation (as it's called) and our hearts and bodies cope very well with a small amount.

It is only if the amount of regurgitation increases to a level that your partner starts to suffer with breathlessness that it can be a problem.

Even though I know only too well, that going into these unknown procedures, can be very daunting. But to the excellent staff of our NHS, it is what they trained in and are good at. Don't be afraid to ask questions. In my experience that is a part of their job they enjoy.

Plus, I would rather be in the system and being monitored & checked, than a potential health problem being a ticking time bomb that you aren't aware of.

I hope this helps?

All the best to you both

Mark

[TMeditation]

When I went along to my GP and he detected a heart murmur I was also experiencing breathlessness on walking up hills and some pain in my left shoulder. I was diagnosed with aortic stenosis and had my aortic valve replaced five months later. My cardiologist told me not to push myself in the gym but not to panic as some people live for many years with aortic stenosis however, mine turned out to be more advanced by then he time I went to my GP. Sounds like your problem has been highlighted early on and you’re being well taken care of. Sending you best wishes. Sue

[Johnwhitton]

hi i have just read your post , i hohope this may help i was diagnod with a heart murmur at 3 months old , im 61 years of age now and have worked as a Plasterer all my life and had an operation 3 months ago to fix the murmur and also some other , heart problems some age related , obviously i was told very young ,back then in the 1960s heart ops especially on the young were rare and the risks deemed too much at that time , however these days its so advanced if an op is necessary, it may not be.i have friends who have murmurs who havent had ops , and some who have not they are still here , everyone is different.

You are obviously concerned but my advice which i learnt from my parents and Doctors is if you have any questions or worries always ask its your, wellbeing that counts .

On a personal level i was advised to never smoke dont do drugs and have a decent diet ie not lots of fast foods and stay active to keep weight off , sounds boring it hasnt been still isnt , please try not to worry too much but definitely contact the doctors and nurses for answer to questions that need answers , ive learnt over many years they really want whats best for us, best wishes for the future

John :)ps hope this wasnt too rambling

[Fredders]

I was diagnosed with a heart murmur by chance when I was 16. My GP heard a slight noise when I had a chest infection. I had an ECG and was told to get on with my life and not worry about it as it was very common to have a slight murmur and most people don't know they have one until it is picked up because of something else, like mine. I had a check up every year until I eventually had my first AVR at 52.

As suggested, best to avoid doing exercises that raise blood pressure excessively until she's had her ecg. Once that's been done her cardiologist will be able to give her more specific advice. In the meantime try not to worry too much, easier said than done I know.

Wendy

[Jetcat]

I would do what doctors have told you to do until your echo.👍

I was once told I had a heart murmur but on further investigation ECHO it turned out I didn’t but I did what the doctors told me until it was investigated.👍👍