What is a heart murmur?

A heart murmur is defined as an abnormal sound that occurs during the heartbeat cycle. This sound can be detected using a stethoscope and is caused by turbulent blood flow within the heart or through the large blood vessels. Murmurs can arise from various conditions, including valve abnormalities, congenital heart defects, or even certain physiological situations like pregnancy or fever.

In contrast, a normal heart sound is characterized by the typical "lub-dub" sounds produced by the closing of the heart valves during the cardiac cycle. High blood pressure can have indirect effects on the heart and may contribute to the development of murmurs, but it is not, in itself, equivalent to a heart murmur. Additionally, a pulse that is difficult to detect is related to circulatory issues but does not pertain directly to the characteristics or definitions of heart murmurs. Thus, the focus on abnormal sounds provides clarity on the distinct nature of murmurs in cardiac assessments.