What Could be Causing Heart Murmur?

What Causes Heart Murmur?

Heart murmur can have various causes, just like most other symptoms. Finding the true cause means ruling out or confirming each possibility – in other words, diagnosis.

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Diagnosis is usually a complex process due to the sheer number of possible causes and related symptoms. In order to diagnose heart murmur, we could:

Research the topic
Find a doctor with the time
Use a diagnostic computer system.

The process is the same, whichever method is used.

Step 1: List all Possible Causes

We begin by identifying the disease conditions which have "heart murmur" as a symptom. For example, carcinoid cancer.

Step 2: Build a Symptom Checklist

We then identify all possible symptoms and risk factors of each possible cause, and check the ones that apply:

wheezing

dizziness when standing up

major unexplained weight loss

black/tarry stools

very low tryptophan levels

low diastolic blood pressure

facial flushing

low systolic blood pressure

moderate abdominal pain

trace amounts of occult blood

... and so on

Step 3: Rule Out or Confirm each Possible Cause

A differential diagnosis of your symptoms and risk factors finds the likely cause of heart murmur.

Arriving at a Correct Diagnosis

The Analyst™ is our online diagnosis tool that learns all about you through a straightforward process of multi-level questioning, providing diagnosis at the end.

If you indicate pre-existing cardiovascular problems, The Analyst™ will ask further questions including this one:

Have you been told that you have a Heart Murmur? This is an extra or unusual sound heard during a heartbeat.

Possible responses:

→ Don't know
→ I was tested, but no murmur was detected
→ Detectable, but minor
→ Easily detected
→ Serious / pronounced

Based on your response to this question, which may indicate absence of heart murmur, mild heart murmur, moderate heart murmur or serious heart murmur, The Analyst™ will consider possibilities such as Carcinoid Cancer. The heart murmur seen in carcinoid syndrome is thought to occur secondary to high serotonin levels affecting the tricuspid valve and causing significant valvular insufficiency.

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