Heart Murmur Care in Grand Rapids, MI

The familiar “lub-dub” sound of your heartbeat comes from the heart valves opening and closing as blood moves in and out of the heart’s chambers. A heart murmur is an extra sound — often described as a hum, whoosh, or rasp — that can be heard between these normal heart sounds.

In Grand Rapids, MI, heart murmurs are commonly evaluated by primary care providers and cardiologists at major health systems such as Corewell Health (formerly Spectrum Health), Trinity Health Grand Rapids, University of Michigan Health–West (Metro Health), and Mercy Health.

What Is a Heart Murmur?

A heart murmur is a sound produced by blood flow within or near the heart that can be heard with a stethoscope. Instead of a simple “lub-dub,” the heartbeat may include:

  • A whooshing sound
  • A humming sound
  • A rasping or swishing sound

This sound is caused by vibration of blood as it moves through the heart and its valves. Normally, this blood flow is too quiet to hear, but if it becomes more turbulent, a murmur can be detected.

Blood can flow abnormally through the heart for many reasons, including:

  • Defective or leaking heart valves
  • Congenital (present at birth) heart defects
  • Conditions like anemia or hyperthyroidism that increase blood flow

A “Noisy” Heart Isn’t Always Dangerous

Innocent (Benign) Heart Murmurs

Many children — and some adults — in Grand Rapids have innocent heart murmurs. These:

  • Are not caused by heart disease
  • Do not damage the heart
  • Usually require no treatment or activity restriction

In fact, it’s estimated that up to half of all babies and young children may have an innocent murmur at some point. Most of these disappear by adolescence.

However, an innocent murmur can sound very similar to a more serious murmur through a stethoscope. That’s why your Grand Rapids doctor may recommend further testing to be sure.

Heart Murmurs and Symptoms

Murmurs Often Have No Symptoms

Many heart murmurs are discovered during a routine physical exam, sports physical, or pre-surgical evaluation. The person may feel completely well.

Possible Symptoms of an Abnormal Heart Murmur

When a murmur is caused by an underlying heart problem, you might notice:

  • Chest pain or discomfort
  • Tachycardia (fast heart rate)
  • Heart palpitations (feeling like your heart is racing, fluttering, or skipping beats)
  • Shortness of breath, especially with activity or when lying flat
  • Fatigue or reduced exercise tolerance
  • Cyanosis (a blue tinge to the lips, fingers, or skin, caused by low oxygen levels)
  • Swelling in the legs, ankles, or abdomen

If you notice these symptoms — especially during cold Grand Rapids winters, when heart and lung conditions can feel worse — seek medical care promptly.

How the Heart Is Structured

Understanding the heart’s structure can help explain why murmurs occur.

  • The heart has four chambers:

    • Right atrium (upper right chamber)
    • Right ventricle (lower right chamber)
    • Left atrium (upper left chamber)
    • Left ventricle (lower left chamber)

  • Blood flow:

    • Deoxygenated blood from the body enters the right atrium, then moves to the right ventricle, which pumps it to the lungs.
    • In the lungs, carbon dioxide is removed and oxygen is added.
    • Oxygen-rich blood returns to the left atrium, moves into the left ventricle, and is then pumped into the aorta, the main artery that sends blood throughout the body.

  • Heart valves (mitral, tricuspid, aortic, and pulmonary) act like one-way doors, keeping blood flowing in the correct direction.
    Problems with these valves — such as leaking (regurgitation) or narrowing (stenosis) — can create turbulent blood flow and cause a heart murmur.

Causes of Heart Murmurs

A heart murmur may be:

  • Innocent (functional) – normal heart structure, just “noisy” blood flow
  • Abnormal (pathologic) – due to an underlying heart or blood condition

Common Causes of Innocent Murmurs

Innocent murmurs can be caused by:

  • Faster blood flow in children and teens
  • Fever
  • Pregnancy
  • Mild anemia
  • Temporary changes in blood volume or flow

These murmurs are not associated with structural heart disease.

Common Causes of Abnormal Murmurs

  1. Congenital Heart Defects
    Sometimes, during fetal development, the heart or blood vessels do not form properly. This can lead to:

    • Narrowed or blocked blood flow pathways
    • Abnormal connections between heart chambers or vessels
    • Underdeveloped heart structures

    Pediatric cardiology services in Grand Rapids are available through Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital (Corewell Health) and other local specialists.

  2. Mitral Regurgitation

    • The mitral valve separates the left atrium from the left ventricle.
    • In mitral regurgitation, the valve does not close completely, allowing blood to leak backward into the atrium.
    • Causes can include:
      • Rheumatic heart disease
      • Infection of the mitral valve (endocarditis)
      • High blood pressure (hypertension)
      • Congenital heart defects

  3. Aortic Regurgitation

    • The aortic valve separates the aorta from the left ventricle.
    • In aortic regurgitation, the valve does not close properly and blood leaks back into the ventricle.
    • Causes can include:
      • Congenital valve abnormalities
      • Rheumatic heart disease
      • Endocarditis (infection of the aortic valve)
      • Marfan syndrome
      • Long-standing high blood pressure

  4. Mitral Stenosis

    • The opening of the mitral valve is narrowed.
    • This restricts blood flow from the left atrium to the left ventricle and can cause a murmur and symptoms of heart failure over time.

  5. Aortic Stenosis

    • The aortic valve opening is narrowed.
    • This makes it harder for the left ventricle to pump blood into the aorta and can cause chest pain, fainting, or shortness of breath, especially with exertion.

  6. Damage to the Heart Muscle

    • Can occur after:
      • A heart attack
      • Heart infections (such as endocarditis or myocarditis)
      • Long-term coronary artery disease
      • Uncontrolled hypertension

    Damaged heart muscle can change how blood flows through the heart and create a murmur.

  7. Anemia

    • Anemia is a reduced ability of the blood to carry oxygen.
    • To compensate, the heart pumps faster and harder, increasing blood flow and sometimes causing a murmur.
    • In Michigan, dietary patterns, chronic disease, and heavy menstrual bleeding are common contributors to anemia.

  8. Hyperthyroidism (Overactive Thyroid)

    • Excess thyroid hormone speeds up the heart and increases blood flow.
    • This can produce a functional murmur similar to that seen in anemia.

  9. Stress and Other Conditions

    • Emotional stress, anxiety, and certain medications can increase heart rate and blood flow, occasionally making a murmur more noticeable.

Heart Murmurs in Children in Grand Rapids

  • Innocent heart murmurs are very common in infants and children.
  • Most:
    • Are found during routine checkups or school/sports physicals
    • Do not limit a child’s activity
    • Disappear by the teenage years

Because Grand Rapids families often schedule well-child visits before the school year or winter months, many murmurs are first detected at local pediatric clinics or family medicine practices.

If your child’s doctor hears a murmur, they may refer you to a pediatric cardiologist at Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital or another local specialist for further evaluation.

Diagnosing a Heart Murmur in Grand Rapids, MI

If your provider at Spectrum Health, Trinity Health Grand Rapids, Metro Health, Mercy Health, or a local clinic hears a murmur, they may recommend:

1. Medical History

Your doctor will ask about:

  • Symptoms (chest pain, fatigue, shortness of breath, fainting)
  • Past medical problems, including infections or rheumatic fever
  • Family history of heart disease or congenital heart defects
  • Medications, supplements, and thyroid issues

2. Physical Examination

  • Listening carefully to the heart with a stethoscope
  • Noting:
    • Where the murmur is loudest
    • When it occurs in the heartbeat cycle
    • How loud it is
    • Whether it changes with position or breathing
  • Checking for:
    • Cyanosis
    • Swelling in the legs or abdomen
    • Abnormal pulses or blood pressure

3. Diagnostic Tests

Depending on the findings, you may be referred for:

  • Echocardiogram (Echo)

    • An ultrasound of the heart
    • Shows heart structure, valve function, and blood flow
    • Often done at Grand Rapids hospital imaging centers or cardiology clinics

  • Electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG)

    • Measures the electrical activity of the heart
    • Helps detect arrhythmias, heart enlargement, or past heart damage

  • Chest X-ray

    • Shows heart size and shape
    • Evaluates lungs for fluid or other problems

  • Blood Tests

    • Check for anemia, thyroid function, infection, and other conditions that can contribute to murmurs

These tests help distinguish innocent murmurs from those caused by structural heart disease.

Treatment Options for Heart Murmurs

Treatment in Grand Rapids depends on the underlying cause, not the murmur itself.

Innocent Heart Murmurs

  • No treatment is needed.
  • The heart structure and blood flow are normal — the heart is simply “noisy.”
  • Regular checkups with your primary care provider are usually all that is required.

Valve Problems and Structural Heart Disease

Depending on severity, treatment may include:

  • Medications

    • To manage blood pressure, heart rhythm, or fluid buildup
    • To reduce strain on the heart

  • Heart Surgery or Catheter-Based Procedures

    • Repair or replacement of leaking or narrowed valves
    • Correction of congenital heart defects
    • May involve open-heart surgery or minimally invasive techniques
    • Performed at major cardiac centers in Grand Rapids, such as Corewell Health and Trinity Health Grand Rapids

Endocarditis or Other Infections

  • Antibiotics (often IV, sometimes oral)
  • In some cases, surgery to repair or replace infected valves

People with certain valve problems or artificial valves may need preventive antibiotics before some dental or surgical procedures — your cardiologist will advise you.

Anemia

  • Iron supplements and dietary changes (iron-rich foods like lean meats, beans, and leafy greens)
  • Treating the underlying cause (e.g., heavy menstrual bleeding, GI blood loss)
  • More severe cases may require:
    • Blood transfusions
    • Other specialized treatments

Hyperthyroidism

  • Medications to block thyroid hormone production
  • Radioactive iodine or surgery in some cases
  • Ongoing follow-up with an endocrinologist, many of whom practice in the Grand Rapids area

Living With a Heart Murmur in Grand Rapids

For most people, especially those with innocent murmurs, life is completely normal. However, given Michigan’s cold winters and seasonal respiratory infections, people with underlying heart disease should:

  • Dress warmly and avoid sudden exposure to extreme cold, which can strain the heart
  • Get recommended vaccines (such as flu and pneumonia) through your provider or the Kent County Health Department
  • Maintain regular follow-up with a cardiologist if advised
  • Stay active with heart-healthy exercise appropriate for your condition (walking on the trails along the Grand River, indoor exercise in winter, etc.)
  • Eat a balanced diet to support heart health and maintain a healthy weight, which is especially important in a region with higher rates of hypertension and heart disease

When to See a Doctor in Grand Rapids

Contact a healthcare provider if:

  • You or your child is told you have a heart murmur but have never had it evaluated
  • You experience:
    • Chest pain
    • Shortness of breath
    • Fainting or near-fainting
    • Rapid or irregular heartbeat
    • Unexplained fatigue or swelling in your legs

In an emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department at Corewell Health Butterworth Hospital, Trinity Health Grand Rapids Hospital, or another local ER.

Local Resources in Grand Rapids, MI

If you have questions or need support with a heart murmur diagnosis:

  • Your Primary Care Provider or Pediatrician – first step for evaluation
  • Cardiologist / Pediatric Cardiologist – for specialized testing and treatment
  • Corewell Health, Trinity Health Grand Rapids, Metro Health, Mercy Health – comprehensive cardiac care centers
  • Kent County Health Department – community health resources, screenings, and education
  • Grand Rapids Public Health Programs – local wellness and heart-health initiatives

Key Points to Remember

  • A heart murmur is a sound caused by blood flow within or near the heart.
  • Many children — and some adults — in Grand Rapids have innocent murmurs that do not require treatment or limit activities.
  • Heart murmurs themselves often cause no symptoms and are found during routine exams.
  • Some murmurs are linked to heart valve problems, congenital heart defects, anemia, or thyroid disease.
  • Accurate diagnosis may require tests like an echocardiogram, ECG, chest X-ray, and blood tests.
  • Treatment focuses on the underlying cause and may range from no treatment to medications, antibiotics, or surgery.

If you live in the Grand Rapids area and have been told you or your child has a heart murmur, follow up with your local healthcare provider or a cardiologist to ensure the right diagnosis and care.