While many parents may not realize it, heart murmurs in children are actually quite common. In fact, approximately 50 percent of children will have a heart murmur at some point before they reach the age of 18. If your child is diagnosed with this condition, you may be referred to a pediatric specialist in Carlsbad. However, it can still be beneficial to know what to expect.
Innocent Heart Murmurs
Each time the heart beats, there are two normal sounds, which can be heard with a stethoscope. A murmur is present if there is an additional sound created by the blood moving through the heart. The most common type of heart murmur, a benign or innocent murmur, is the result of blood flowing through the heart. These can be heard at any time until the age of 18 and are often heart initially if the child is sick or has a fever. These types of murmurs don’t result in any significant issue or necessity for treatment.
More Serious Heart Murmurs
You may have to go to a pediatric specialist in Carlsbad if the murmur is the result of CHD, congenital heart disease. This occurs when there are abnormalities in the heart’s structure. A CHD occurs in one out of 100 children and may be small holes, or more complicated issues. In some cases, CHD will resolve on its own, while more serious conditions will require surgery, or other types of advance treatments.
If you have a child with any type of heart murmur, seeing a pediatric specialist in Carlsbad is the best course of action. This medical professional will be able to help you know what type of treatment is necessary.
Learn more about when to see a pediatric specialist by visiting the Children’s Primary Care Medical Group website.
