You went in for a routine physical, and your doctor paused, listened a little longer with the stethoscope, and mentioned a heart murmur. That moment can feel unsettling, even when nothing else seems wrong.
Take a breath. Many murmurs are harmless, and others simply need a closer look. The main thing to know: a primary care doctor often detects a murmur, but a cardiologist usually evaluates a murmur that needs further assessment.
Key takeaways
- Your primary care physician is usually the first one to detect a murmur. They may then refer you to a cardiologist for a closer look.
- Many heart murmurs are harmless, but only a medical evaluation can tell a harmless one from a murmur that needs attention.
- Cardiologists typically handle further testing, including an echocardiogram, when a murmur needs more than a quick listen.
- See a doctor sooner if a murmur comes with chest pain, shortness of breath, fainting, dizziness, fatigue, or a racing heartbeat.
What doctor treats a heart murmur?
A cardiologist typically evaluates and manages heart murmurs that need further assessment, while a primary care doctor often first detects a murmur during an exam.
If your primary care doctor hears something worth investigating, they may recommend testing or refer you to a specialist. Many patients see a cardiologist this way.
You can browse cardiologists, find primary care doctors, or search all doctors on Zocdoc to get started.
What is a heart murmur?
A heart murmur is an extra or unusual sound heard through a stethoscope as blood moves through your heart. It’s a sound, not a diagnosis on its own.
Many murmurs are innocent, meaning harmless, and don’t point to any heart problem. Others can be caused by heart valve disease or another underlying heart condition, which is why some murmurs warrant a follow-up.
When should you see a cardiologist for a heart murmur?
See a cardiologist if a murmur is newly discovered, comes with symptoms, or occurs alongside risk factors. Not every murmur needs specialist care, but many deserve a closer evaluation.
Consider a cardiology visit if you have any of these:
- Chest pain, shortness of breath, fainting, dizziness, fatigue, or a fluttering or racing heartbeat
- An abnormal finding on your physical exam
- A family history of heart disease
- A history of heart valve disease
- A murmur first heard during pregnancy or childhood that needs follow-up
If any of these apply, it’s reasonable to move forward with an evaluation rather than wait and wonder. You can book a cardiologist, start with a primary care doctor, or compare doctors on Zocdoc to find an appointment that fits your schedule.
What happens during a heart murmur evaluation?
A heart murmur evaluation usually starts with a conversation and a careful listen, not a long list of tests. Here’s what you can generally expect:
- Medical history: Your doctor asks about symptoms, family history, and past heart conditions.
- Physical exam: They listen to your heart to note the murmur’s timing, location, and sound.
- ECG/EKG: A quick, painless test that records your heart’s electrical activity, used when appropriate.
- Echocardiogram: An ultrasound of your heart and its valves. This is the most common imaging test for evaluating a murmur.
- Additional testing: Sometimes ordered if results need more detail.
Most of these steps are comfortable and straightforward, and they help your doctor understand what’s behind the sound.
What conditions can cause a heart murmur?
Heart murmurs have a range of causes, from completely harmless to conditions that need treatment. Common ones include:
- Innocent (harmless) murmurs, especially in children
- Heart valve disease, such as a valve that’s narrowed or leaky
- Congenital heart differences present from birth
- Anemia
- Pregnancy
- An overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism)
- A temporary murmur from a fever
Some of these are short-lived and resolve on their own, which is one more reason an evaluation is worthwhile.
Can a primary care doctor diagnose a heart murmur?
A primary care doctor can identify a murmur during an exam and begin the evaluation, but may recommend testing or a referral to determine the cause. Detecting the sound is one step; understanding why it’s there is another.
Rather than assuming a murmur is either harmless or dangerous, the goal is follow-up. If you don’t have a primary care doctor yet, our guide on how to choose a primary care physician can help.
Is a heart murmur always serious?
No, a heart murmur is not always serious. Many are harmless and never cause a problem, while others can point to an underlying heart condition.
The catch is that you can’t tell the two apart by feel or worry alone. A proper evaluation is what distinguishes an innocent murmur from one that needs attention, so follow-up matters even when you feel fine.
How do you find the right doctor for a heart murmur?
Finding the right doctor comes down to a few practical factors. Look for someone who:
- Accepts your insurance
- Has appointment availability that works for you
- Has experience evaluating cardiovascular conditions
- Has verified patient reviews
- Is accepting new patients
On Zocdoc, you can filter by insurance to find in-network cardiologists or primary care doctors, read verified reviews from other patients, see real-time availability, and book online, often within a few days. You can also search all doctors on Zocdoc to compare your options in one place.
Conclusion
Many heart murmurs are harmless, but proper evaluation is what tells you which kind you have. Primary care doctors often detect murmurs, and cardiologists step in for further testing when it’s needed.
If your murmur is associated with symptoms, book an appointment on Zocdoc with a doctor who takes your insurance and has availability that works for you.
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FAQs
What doctor treats a heart murmur?
Cardiologists typically evaluate and manage heart murmurs that need further assessment. Primary care doctors often detect a murmur first and refer you to a specialist if additional testing is warranted.
Should I see a cardiologist for a heart murmur?
A cardiology visit makes sense for a newly discovered murmur, a murmur with symptoms, or an abnormal exam finding. Your primary care doctor can help you decide whether a referral is the right next step.
Can a primary care doctor diagnose a heart murmur?
A primary care doctor can identify a murmur and begin the evaluation. To pinpoint the cause, they may order tests or refer you to a cardiologist for a closer look.
Is a heart murmur always serious?
No. Many murmurs are harmless, while others may signal an underlying heart condition. Only a medical evaluation can tell you which type you have.
What tests are done for a heart murmur?
A murmur evaluation usually includes a physical exam and a careful listen to your heart. Your doctor may add an ECG/EKG when appropriate, an echocardiogram to view the valves, and additional testing if needed.
When should I worry about a heart murmur?
Seek evaluation sooner if a murmur comes with chest pain, shortness of breath, fainting, dizziness, fatigue, or a racing or fluttering heartbeat. These symptoms are worth prompt attention from a doctor.
The information in this article is provided for general informational purposes only and should not be relied on as medical advice. It is not intended as, and Zocdoc does not provide, medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Zocdoc does not recommend any specific provider. Find one you’ll love on Zocdoc today.