1. By Tommy Vandoros

2. What is A Heart Murmur? A heart murmur is when there is blood swishing between valves. Example: blood swishing between two valves through a hole in the septum. These valves are usually healthy. Most people live with heart murmurs without the need for treatment.

3. How is it caused? It is usually present at birth as a birth abnormality. It is also possible to cause a heart murmur if there is enough damage on an overworked heart. Some heart health problems, such as a heart attack, rheumatic fever, and infections can cause a heart murmur.

4. How is it Diagnosed? A heart murmur can be diagnosed three ways: Electrocardiogram (EKG) Chest X-rays Echocardiography: Uses sound waves to map the heart structure

5. Treatment Drug treatments, including: Anticoagulants to prevent blood clots. Other drugs that affect pressure and what is running through the blood. Surgery to correct congenital heart defects Surgery to correct certain types of heart valve disease

6. In this example, the septum between the atrium are separated so oxygenated blood mixes with the deoxygenated blood and goes to the lungs for oxygen again. All blood going back to the body is oxygenated in this example. http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/health-topics/topics/chd/types.html

7. http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/health- topics/topics/chd/types.html

8. Sources firefighterfitnessllc.wordpress.com http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/health- topics/topics/chd/types.html http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/health- topics/topics/chd/types.html http://www.webmd.com/heart-disease/guide/heart- murmur-causes-treatments?page=2 http://www.webmd.com/heart-disease/guide/heart- murmur-causes-treatments?page=2