Heart Murmur Signs That Could Mean Something Serious

A heart murmur is what doctors call the rushing sound of blood through the heart. Though usually asymptomatic and largely harmless, murmurs are usually caused by some fault in the valves of the heart, which can cause leaking or inefficient blood flow. Alternately, a murmur could be the result of the heart beating more rapidly than normal, which causes an excess of blood to be handled by the muscle. Most individuals with murmurs may not even know they have one. Continue reading to reveal the common signs that indicate that a patient could have a heart murmur.

Blue Lips Or Fingertips

Blue lips or fingertips are a sign of cyanosis, which is an indication of a lack of oxygen in the blood or poor blood circulation. If an individual has a heart murmur and is exhibiting signs of cyanosis, it indicates that the heart is not getting enough blood to the body’s vital organs. If this symptom is left untreated for more than three to five minutes, severe hypoxia can occur, which is a deficiency in the amount of oxygen reaching the tissues. As a result, hypoxia can cause permanent brain damage or even death.