Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated August 2025
Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated August 2025
Definition
A murmur is an unusual sound heard between heartbeats, often resembling a whooshing or swishing noise, caused by turbulent blood flow in the heart or near it. It can be a sign of various heart conditions, ranging from harmless to serious.
Cardiac cycle: The sequence of events that occurs in the heart from one heartbeat to another, including systole (contraction) and diastole (relaxation).
Stenosis: The narrowing of a body passage, such as a heart valve, which can cause turbulent blood flow and result in a murmur.
Echocardiogram: A diagnostic test that uses ultrasound waves to create images of the heart, often used to detect abnormalities like those causing murmurs