XP: Does anybody else have a heart murmur?

outnumbered

At my most recent physical I was diagnosed with a heart murmur.  My EEG and blood work indicate otherwise normal function, but I do have heart palpitations.  My doctor said I do not need to see a cardiologist, but I am not comfortable with that because the palpitations worry me.  If you have a murmur do you see a specialist?  What is your treatment?  I do not need a referral so I think I might get a second opinion, does that seem reasonable?

rosesandpetals

If you are worried and don't need a referral, then I don't think it is crazy to get a second opinion. I know a couple people with murmurs who don't go to a cardiologist but I honestly don't know how much they range in severity either. 

chickaboo1974

I have a murmur- but I know the cause. A leaky valve.  I also have palpitations and thanks to wearing a monitor for 48 hours, I know I have extra beats.  I started all my testing with my PCP- which was blood work, a doppler, and a holter monitor.  I found out all the above- and then saw a Cardiologist just to review.  I will see him yearly and have other tests ran yearly to watch my leaky valve.

I also have some other things going on- but my doctors think that some of it is genetic since my Father has many of the same things.

roxy_jj

I have a heart murmur caused by mild mitral valve prolapse.  The murmur was originally discovered by my PCP.  She then did an EKG and had me get an echocardiogram.  The echocardiogram showed the mitral valve prolapse, so I was referred to a cardiologist.  I see the cardiologist once a year and I have an echocardiogram done once every three years.  Other than that, I don't have any other treatment.

I do get occasional heart palpitations, usually around the time of my period.  I did not have the palpitations at the time my PCP noticed the murmur, so they were not a factor in my cardiologist referral.  If you are concerned and think you should be seeing a cardiologist, I would definitely get a second opinion.  

outnumbered

Thank you everybody.  I will get a second opinion.  It was the first time I saw this PCP (due to insurance changes) and the appointment felt a bit rushed.  Now I feel less paranoid about seeking out a specialist.

smerka

I have a MVP. I don't do anything about it now. I used to have to take antibiotics before going to the dentist, but they stopped recommending that. I think I've heard that about 5% of the population has one so it's pretty common. Just so you are aware, people with MVP are more prone to anxiety.

SurpriseAt39

I have a murmur with an extra beat periodically and a 'click'. I get periodic palpitations that affect my breathing, but they are usually brought on my anxiety.
ECG was normal. No MVP.

The cardiologist told me I had the most boring murmur he has seen in years.
No follow up.

ETA: it was all officially diagnosed when I was hospitalized for a bowel obstruction. After my surgery my surgeon kept coming to listen to my heart several times a day. He finally asked about it and I told him no one had mentioned it to me previously. He assumed it was brought on by my health at the time.
I still have it, but it certainly doesn't affect my life.

rachie1019

I have a heart murmur. My EEG was slightly abnormal. However, my doctor wasn't overly concerned because I am on a beta blocker for high BP which also helps the heart palpitations with the murmur. So I've never needed to see a cardiologist.