Murmurs

Conditions We Treat

What causes a heart murmur?

Heart murmurs may be caused by a number of factors or diseases, including:

  • Defective heart valves
  • Holes in the walls of your heart (atrial septal defect or ventricular septal defect)
  • Pregnancy (increased blood volume)
  • Fever
  • Anemia (a decrease in the red cells in the blood)

What are the different types of murmurs?

All murmurs are analyzed for pitch, frequency, and duration. They are also graded according to how loud they are (on a scale of 1 to 6 with 1 being very faint and 6 being very loud).

Types of murmurs include:

  • Systolic murmur. This occurs during a heart muscle contraction. Systolic murmurs are divided into ejection murmurs (due to blood flow through a narrowed vessel or irregular valve) and regurgitant murmurs (backward blood flow into one of the chambers of the heart).
  • Diastolic murmur. This occurs during heart muscle relaxation between beats. Diastolic murmurs are due to a narrowing (stenosis) of the mitral or tricuspid valves, or regurgitation of the aortic or pulmonary valves.
Continuous murmur. This occurs throughout the cardiac cycle.

Continue Watching

Provider Video Profile: Ingrid Kwak, NP (Cardiology)

Ingrid Kwak is a nurse practitioner at Corewell Health in Southwest Michigan. She is part of a specialized team that cares for individuals with cardiovascular disease.

Aug 11, 2023
Linda is a Watchman implant recipient, hear her story.

Watchman patient Linda discusses how the Watchman has changed her life.

Jul 07, 2022
Common questions about Watchman, answered by patients

Patients discuss how the Watchman has worked for them.

Jul 07, 2022
See why Watchman reduces stroke risk and how the procedure is done.

The Watchman procedure is a trusted alternative to blood thinners that permanently reduces both stroke risk and bleeding worry.

Jul 07, 2022
Watchman Patient Jerry Zerby explains why this is a wonderful invention that will save many lives.

Watchman is a one-time, minimally invasive procedure for people with atrial fibrillation not caused by a heart valve problem who need an alternative to blood thinners.

Jul 07, 2022
Physician Video Profile: Ogubay Mesmer, MD (Cardiology)

Ogubay Mesmer, MD is a cardiologist with Spectrum Health Lakeland that specializes in adult cardiovascular disorders.

May 20, 2022
Physician Video Profile: William Lawrence, MD (Cardiology)

William Lawrence, MD is an interventional cardiologist with Spectrum Health Lakeland that specializes in adult cardiovascular disorders.

Apr 08, 2022
TAVR heart valve replacement surgery

TAVR heart valve replacement surgery explained by Spectrum Health Lakeland cardiac specialists.

Jun 29, 2021
Physician Video Profile: Dale Leffler, DO (Cardiology)

Dale Leffler, DO is an interventional cardiologist with Spectrum Health Lakeland that specializes in adult cardiovascular disorders.

Jun 15, 2021
Cardiac Care: Rusty Schrubba "More than Just Heartburn"

After a successful surgery at Lakeland Heart and Vascular, Rusty is back to maintaining an active lifestyle.

Jan 16, 2020

Trending on Lakeland

Corewell Health Center for Wellness Has Relocated to Expand Local Health Services in Benton Harbor

The Corewell Health™ Center for Wellness has moved to a spacious new building around the corner from its original facility. The new space is approximately 24,000 square feet - nearly 20 times larger than the previous location, adding adequate room to expand community-based health services.

Corewell Health’s President in Southwest Michigan Announces Retirement

Loren B. Hamel, M.D., president, Corewell Health™ in Southwest Michigan, has announced his plan to retire on June 30, 2024.

New Members Appointed to Corewell Health South Board of Directors

Corewell Health welcomed two new members to its board of directors in Southwest Michigan. Bertha King and Stephen Hempel, M.D., began three-year terms on Jan. 1, 2024.

Corewell Health Announces Changes to Board of Directors, Appoints New Chair

Today, Corewell Health™ announced changes to its board of directors, including the introduction of two new members, the appointment of a new chair and vice chair, and the departure of three founding board members.

Corewell Health Encourages Community Members to Donate Blood, Save Lives This Holiday Season

Corewell Health™, in partnership with Versiti Blood Center of Michigan, is encouraging Lakeland area community members to donate blood this holiday season. A series of community blood drives will take place this December.

Corewell Health, YMCA Increase Access to Healthy Foods Through Veggie Van™ Partnership

The Veggie Van™, a mobile farmers market, served 13 counties throughout Michigan this year, ensuring that free fruits and vegetables were available to individuals who otherwise had limited access. The program, a joint effort of Corewell Health™ and the YMCA of Greater Grand Rapids, launched in 2018 to combat food insecurity and will continue for a sixth consecutive year in spring 2024. Through their partnership, 46,466 free pieces of produce were distributed to Michigan families in 2023.

Corewell Health Named a Leading Inclusion Index Company

Corewell Health™ was named to professional services and research firm Seramount’s 2023 Inclusion Index. The recognition measures three key areas of an organization: best practices in the recruitment, retention and advancement of people from historically marginalized groups—women, racial/ethnic groups, people with disabilities and LGBTQIA+ people; inclusive company culture; and demographic diversity.

South Haven Luminary Fundraiser  for Corewell Health Hospice & Palliative Care

Community members are invited to support Corewell Health Hospice & Palliative Care, formerly Caring Circle, by purchasing a luminary now through Monday, Nov. 20, at 3 p.m.

Great Lakes Gastroenterology joins Corewell Health in Southwest Michigan

Southwest Michigan area residents can access gastroenterology services at a new Corewell Health™ facility, Corewell Health Lakeland Hospitals Gastroenterology, 3903 Hollywood Road, St. Joseph. The facility, formerly Great Lakes Gastroenterology, joined Corewell Health on Nov. 1.

Drug Take Back Day Encourages Community to Dispose of Unwanted Medications

Corewell Health and Berrien County Sheriff Department have teamed up to collect unused and unwanted prescription drugs for safe disposal. Community members are invited to stop by Corewell Health Lakeland Hospital and Corewell Health Care Center on Saturday, Oct. 28, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

New General Surgeon Joins Corewell Health in Southwest Michigan

General surgeon Andrew Vaughan, D.O., joined the medical staff in Southwest Michigan. Dr. Vaughan will see patients alongside several board-certified surgeons and advanced practitioners at 3900 Hollywood Road, St. Joseph.

Corewell Health Welcomes New Physician to Diabetes and Endocrinology

Board-certified endocrinologist, Inderpreet Madahar, M.D., will join Corewell Health’s medical staff in Southwest Michigan. Dr. Madahar will see patients at Corewell Health Diabetes and Endocrinology – Royalton, 3950 Hollywood Road, Suite 288, St. Joseph.

Corewell Health Welcomes New Primary Care Provider in Coloma

Family nurse practitioner Andrea Edgerly, N.P., has joined the Corewell Health™ medical staff in Southwest Michigan. Edgerly is accepting new patients at Corewell Health Watervliet Hospital Primary Care - Coloma, 6701 Paw Paw Ave.

Corewell Health Welcomes New Nurse Midwife

Alexandra Vroom, CNM, has joined Corewell Health™ in Southwest Michigan. Vroom will see patients alongside three physicians and four other advanced practice providers at Corewell Health Women’s Health‐ Royalton, 3950 Hollywood Road, Suite 100, in St. Joseph.

Corewell Health Named a 2023 Top 75 Company for Executive Women

Corewell Health was named among the list of 2023 Seramount Top 75 Companies for Executive Women.

© Spectrum Health Lakeland 2024
Hospital