The heart makes sounds as it pumps blood to the lungs and body. A murmur is an extra "whooshing" sound as blood flows through the chambers and valves of the heart. The sounds are heard more easily by a stethoscope. Trained ears can detect irregular sounds such as those caused by a heart murmur. Heart murmurs are noises created by:
* narrowed heart valves,
* failure of the heart valves to close completely, or
* backflow through an opening in the inner wall of the heart.

Many children have "innocent" heart murmurs. They occur in infants and children who have had a fever or have been physically active. This type of murmur often goes away by the time the child is an adolescent.

Heart murmurs may be caused by:
* Congenital defects such as holes in the heart or inflammation of the membrane around the heart.
* Acquired defects such as those resulting from rheumatic heart disease.
* Any high blood flow state.
* Anemia.
* Infection of the lining or other areas of the heart.
* Heart failure.

The presence of a murmur does not always mean that the heart is unhealthy. Most heart murmurs are harmless, and require no medical care. When heart murmurs signal the presence of disease or a structural abnormality in the heart, medical care or surgery may be needed.

If you've been told you have a heart murmur, check with your healthcare provider before having dental work or surgery. You may need to take antibiotics to prevent infection of your heart valves.

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