The spelling of "cardiac murmur" is derived from its pronunciation. In International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA), it is pronounced as /ˈkɑrdiæk ˈmərmər/. The first syllable "car" is pronounced with a hard "a" sound, followed by a short "di" and long "ac" sound. The second word "murmur" is pronounced with a short "m" sound, followed by a long "ur" sound and a schwa in the final syllable. A cardiac murmur refers to an abnormal sound heard during a heart examination.
Cardiac murmur is a term used in medicine to describe an abnormal sound produced during the cardiac cycle due to turbulent blood flow through the heart or major blood vessels. In a healthy heart, blood flows smoothly and silently, but certain conditions can disrupt this normal flow, resulting in the generation of audible sounds called murmurs.
These sounds can be heard through a stethoscope and are typically described as a whooshing or swishing noise that accompanies the normal heart sounds, known as S1 and S2. Cardiac murmurs can vary in intensity, pitch, duration, and location, depending on the underlying cause.
Causes of cardiac murmurs can include structural abnormalities in the heart valves or chambers, such as stenosis (narrowing) or regurgitation (leakage), as well as heart defects present from birth (congenital heart disease). Other conditions that can contribute to the development of murmurs include infections, inflammation, high blood pressure, and certain medications.
The diagnosis and evaluation of a cardiac murmur typically involve a thorough clinical examination, including listening to the heart sounds and performing additional tests such as echocardiography, electrocardiogram (ECG), or cardiac catheterization. Treatment will depend on the underlying cause, ranging from observation and lifestyle modifications to medication or surgical intervention. Regular monitoring and follow-up with a healthcare professional are usually recommended for individuals with cardiac murmurs to ensure early detection and appropriate management of any potential complications.
A m. produced within the heart, at one of its orifices, or in the pericardial sac.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
The word "cardiac" is derived from the Latin word "cardiacus", which means "pertaining to the heart". It comes from the Greek word "kardia", meaning "heart".
The term "murmur" originated from the Latin word "murmurare", which means "to murmur or roar". It was used to describe low, indistinct sounds or voices.
When combined, "cardiac murmur" refers to the abnormal sound heard during auscultation (listening with a stethoscope) of the heart, indicating a disturbance in the flow of blood through the heart chambers or valves.