EXERCISE AND HEART MURMURS

A heart murmur is an abnormal sound heard while examining the heart with a stethoscope. Many people with a heart murmur have normal hearts and are still able to exercise and live normal lives.

There are many types of heart murmurs. They range from harmless and of no consequence to very serious heart and health problems. A heart murmur may be a symptom of one of the following:

anemia
a congenital heart defect
a bacterial infection of the lining of the heart
heart valve disease or
rheumatic heart disease

Symptoms related to serious heart murmurs vary. Some examples include fatigue, pale complexion, shortness of breath, loss of appetite, heart attack, stroke, fever, and arthritic pain in joints. If you have symptoms such as these, seek medical help.

Some people with a heart murmur live their whole lives without any problems. Active lifestyles are maintained and aerobic exercise offers added benefits. The heart is a muscle, and like any muscle, it gets stronger with exercise.

Aerobic exercise strengthens the heart and makes it more efficient. Examples are walking, jogging, swimming, cycling, or aerobic dance. A good aerobic exercise program does not have to be strenuous. Keeping a moderate aerobic pace for just 30 minutes a day provides the same benefits with fewer risks as strenuous activity. Do the "talk test" to set the pace. If the pace is too fast to talk comfortably to a companion, slow down.

Seek medical advice for the exercise guidelines that are right for your heart's condition. If you know you have a heart murmur see a healthcare provider before beginning a strenuous exercise program.

Disclaimer: This content is reviewed periodically and is subject to change as new health information becomes available. The information provided is intended to be informative and educational and is not a replacement for professional medical evaluation, advice, diagnosis or treatment by a healthcare professional.

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