What does a grade 2 or higher heart murmur mean, and what should be done?
Jun 02, 2023
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Tian Hongbo
Introduction
Heart murmurs of grade 2 or higher may be associated with congenital heart disease, cardiomyopathy, mitral stenosis, and other causes. Patients can be treated with oral medications, surgery, or other methods. In addition to these common causes, such murmurs may also be related to mitral regurgitation, aortic regurgitation, or hypertensive heart disease. If patients experience other discomfort symptoms, they should promptly seek medical evaluation and treatment at a hospital.
Heart murmurs graded 2 or higher may be associated with congenital heart disease, cardiomyopathy, mitral stenosis, and other causes. Patients can be treated through oral medications, surgery, or other methods. Specific analyses are as follows:
1. Congenital Heart Disease
Congenital heart disease refers to structural abnormalities of the heart present at birth. These abnormalities often produce murmurs during cardiac contraction and may be accompanied by symptoms such as difficulty breathing, chest tightness, and shortness of breath. Patients can take medications such as suxiao jiuxin pills or nitroglycerin tablets under medical guidance to relieve symptoms.
2. Cardiomyopathy
Cardiomyopathy is a disorder characterized by abnormal structure and function of the heart muscle, which may lead to heart murmurs during contraction. Additional symptoms may include chest tightness, chest pain, and arrhythmias. Patients should follow medical advice and take medications such as metoprolol tartrate tablets or amiodarone hydrochloride tablets for treatment.
3. Mitral Stenosis
Mitral stenosis refers to a narrowing of the mitral valve orifice, obstructing blood flow and causing heart murmurs during contraction. Patients may experience shortness of breath after physical activity; if the condition progresses, symptoms such as dyspnea at rest and coughing may occur even during periods of inactivity. Timely surgical intervention in cooperation with a physician is necessary, such as artificial valve replacement or percutaneous mitral balloon valvuloplasty.
In addition to the common causes listed above, heart murmurs may also be related to conditions such as mitral regurgitation, aortic regurgitation, and hypertensive heart disease. If patients experience any other discomfort symptoms in daily life, they should promptly seek medical evaluation at a hospital and receive appropriate, cause-specific treatments under medical supervision.
