What are common causes of heart murmurs?

Heart murmurs are sounds produced by turbulent blood flow within the heart or nearby blood vessels. The common causes of these murmurs can be attributed to a variety of factors, including congenital malformed anatomical structures, physiological changes, and infections.

Congenital defects refer to structural problems with the heart that are present at birth. These can lead to abnormal blood flow patterns, resulting in murmurs. For example, conditions like atrial septal defects or ventricular septal defects can generate significant turbulence as blood flows abnormally between heart chambers.

Anatomical defects that are acquired, such as valve abnormalities due to degeneration or rheumatic fever, can also cause heart murmurs. These changes can disrupt normal blood flow and lead to the production of sound detectable during a physical examination.

Infectious diseases, particularly those affecting the heart such as endocarditis, can contribute to murmurs as well. The infection may affect the heart valves, causing them to function improperly, leading to disturbed blood flow.

The inclusion of congenital defects, anatomical issues, and infections as causes provides a comprehensive understanding of the reasons behind the presence of heart murmurs, making this answer accurate. This complexity reveals the multifactorial nature of heart murmurs, distinguishing it from simplistic views that might attribute