What distinguishes a diastolic murmur from a systolic murmur?

The distinction between a diastolic murmur and a systolic murmur primarily lies in the timing of heart contractions within the cardiac cycle. Diastolic murmurs occur during the diastolic phase when the heart is relaxing and filling with blood, whereas systolic murmurs occur during the systolic phase when the heart is contracting and pumping blood out.

Understanding this fundamental difference is crucial for recognizing and evaluating heart murmurs in clinical practice. Diastolic murmurs can be indicative of specific valvular heart conditions, such as aortic regurgitation or mitral stenosis, while systolic murmurs can suggest issues such as aortic stenosis or mitral regurgitation. By identifying the timing of the murmur, healthcare professionals can better determine its clinical significance and guide further investigations or interventions.

The other options, while they may influence some aspects of the murmur or its detection, do not fundamentally define the distinction between diastolic and systolic murmurs in the context of the cardiac cycle.