Heart Murmurs
A murmur represents the sound of the blood flow in the heart and great vessels, that is heard by listening to the chest wall, or the neck. About 70% of babies and children have such a heart murmur documented at some point, more often when they have a viral illness, and the blood flow becomes faster. What is a Heart murmur? A murmur represents the sound of the blood flow in the heart and gre
What it is
Many murmurs heard during routine examination are "innocent" — flow murmurs without underlying valve disease. Pathological murmurs are caused by aortic stenosis, mitral regurgitation, aortic regurgitation, mitral stenosis, congenital lesions, or (less commonly) infective endocarditis. The distinguishing test is a transthoracic echocardiogram performed and reported by an accredited operator.
Symptoms and signs
- A murmur picked up incidentally during another examination — common and usually first prompts investigation.
- Breathlessness on exertion, particularly if progressive.
- Chest discomfort or syncope on exertion (classical for severe aortic stenosis).
- Palpitations or atrial fibrillation in the context of valve disease.
- A known childhood diagnosis that has never been followed up in adulthood.
How we investigate
Consultant clinical examination, 12-lead ECG and same-week transthoracic echocardiogram performed and reported by an accredited cardiac sonographer. Transoesophageal echocardiogram, cardiac MRI or stress echo arranged where indicated for further valve assessment.
Treatment options at The Vesey
- Reassurance with documented evidence — confirmed innocent or trivial murmur with no further follow-up required.
- Surveillance pathway — for mild or moderate valve disease, structured echocardiographic follow-up every 1–3 years.
- Medical management — heart failure therapy, rate control, anticoagulation for AF associated with valve disease.
- Surgical or interventional referral — direct consultant-to-consultant transfer for TAVI, MitraClip, valve repair or replacement where indicated.
- Endocarditis prophylaxis advice — in line with current NICE guidance for high-risk patients.
What is an innocent heart murmur? +
An innocent (or functional) murmur is a heart sound caused by turbulent blood flow through an otherwise normal heart. They are especially common in children, in athletes, during pregnancy and during fever. An echocardiogram confirms the heart structure is normal and no follow-up is needed.
What valve conditions cause a pathological murmur? +
The most common are aortic stenosis (narrowed aortic valve), mitral regurgitation (leaking mitral valve), aortic regurgitation and mitral stenosis. Rarer causes include congenital defects such as a ventricular septal defect (VSD) and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Each has a characteristic timing and sound on auscultation, confirmed by echocardiogram.
Do I need an echocardiogram for every murmur? +
Any murmur that cannot be confidently classified as innocent on clinical grounds, any murmur with associated symptoms, or any murmur in an adult that has never been investigated warrants an echocardiogram. We can offer a combined consultation and echo in a single appointment from £550.
What happens if my murmur indicates significant valve disease? +
We grade the severity on echocardiogram and establish a structured surveillance or treatment pathway. Mild-to-moderate valve disease typically requires 1–3 yearly echos and medical management. Severe disease is referred directly to a cardiac surgical or interventional centre (TAVI, valve repair or replacement) with a named-consultant letter.
Pricing at a glance
Initial consultant cardiology consultation £260 (ECG £50). Transthoracic echocardiogram from £320. Combined consultation + echo from £550. Transoesophageal echo and stress imaging on quotation. Insurance accepted: BUPA, Vitality, AXA, WPA, Cigna, Aviva, Healix.
Book an appointment
When to see a specialist
Book if a murmur has been heard but never investigated with an echocardiogram, if you have known valve disease overdue for surveillance, or if you have new symptoms (breathlessness, syncope, palpitations) with a known murmur.
Cost and pathway
Initial consultant cardiology consultation £260 (ECG £50). Transthoracic echocardiogram from £320. Combined "consultation + echo" appointment from £550. Transoesophageal echo and stress imaging on quotation.
- Open 7 days including Sundays — 8am to 8pm, no weekend surcharge
- No GP referral required — book directly with our consultant cardiology team
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