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Old 10-24-2010, 06:25 AM   #1
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Default My son has a heart murmur

So, I took my 15 year old son in for his umpteenth sports physical and was told they found a heart murmer. They would not clear him for high school swimming until we have an echocardiogram. I have never, ever been told this by his old PCP. (We just moved).

This concerns me a little; because he is still club swimming (which is much more intense than high school swimming) and they didn't say a word about that. No physical is required to club swim.

He swam horribly in his swim meet this week-end and I can't help but wonder if he is worried about this test. He looked so pale and tired; he's been practicing 2 1/2 hours a day after school.

I know I'm probably worried for nothing. But I am thinking maybe he shouldn't be club swimming until we have his test on 11/3. He has already rejected this suggestion from me.

If anyone has any knowledge on the subject; please let me know.
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Old 10-24-2010, 11:03 AM   #2
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I would not begin to tell you what to do about this but I will tell you that heart murmurs are extremely common, especially in children. Sometimes, they outgrow them or they may seem to come and go -- sometimes heard and sometimes not (that is the case with me). There are lots of articles like this one: Most Murmurs Are Of No Concern - Teen Growth online that basically say most heart murmurs are innocent. But I would want the doc to tell me that it WAS the innocent type. Hoping the ecg gives a green light for sports and affirms an innocent murmur.
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Old 10-24-2010, 01:55 PM   #3
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I would not begin to tell you what to do about this but I will tell you that heart murmurs are extremely common, especially in children. Sometimes, they outgrow them or they may seem to come and go -- sometimes heard and sometimes not (that is the case with me). There are lots of articles like this one: Most Murmurs Are Of No Concern - Teen Growth online that basically say most heart murmurs are innocent. But I would want the doc to tell me that it WAS the innocent type. Hoping the ecg gives a green light for sports and affirms an innocent murmur.
I agree. Both my niece and nephew had minor murmurs they outgrew. However, we worried none-the-less. I will say a prayer for your son.

11/3 is only 11 days away. Maybe you could keep out of the pool for that long. I wonder if his previous dr. ever noticed anything?
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Old 10-24-2010, 02:28 PM   #4
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I had the same thing happen, but my echo did not turn out great. Absolutely no strenuous exercise until the echo comes back normal. He is probably fine, but sports pose a huge threat if at least one disease is present (can be asymptomatic which makes it even more dangerous). Feel free to PM if you want.
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Old 10-24-2010, 02:37 PM   #5
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Hey guys,

Thanks for your thoughts and the article. I'm sorry your's is more serious, Debra. I hope my son's is not.

He will not stay out of the pool for 11 days; we've argued about this all ready! 11 days is huge to a swimmer ~ they have to fight to get back where they were. They are not having practice one day this week anyway; one day they will take up some time with team photos; and I will keep him home from the 5:30 am practices that just began.

That's our compromise! Swimming is not a sport; it's a cult I half-jokingly tell my friends. And it's all year long so . . relentless I think.

The hospital called this week to schedule the test and said to keep doing what you have been doing.

So, kind of a tampered-down schedule this week and fingers crossed.

I'll let you know what we find out. His regular doctor never heard it. I think he was stressed out that day about the new doctor and a sports physical (poor guy) and I am hoping that is it.
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Old 10-24-2010, 02:41 PM   #6
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Oh crap. Just read Ellie May's post. I'm going to talk to my son again. He's just . . he's struggling up here anyway to keep up with these kids in his chosen sport. He did well in our small town; but now he's a little fish in a big pond . . . and 11 days off this time of year will really put him behind.

I'll talk with him again.
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Old 10-24-2010, 03:09 PM   #7
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They are probably being overly-cautious. I've had a heart murmur for years. Some doctors can hear it, some cannot. It just depends on how closely they listen. They are extremely common and are almost always benign. They are more easily detected when you're really thin (and therefore don't have a lot of fat between your ribs and the stethescope). I really would not worry about it. If he's not having trouble being physically active, he's probably fine. If he's been doing strenuous activity for this long and not had trouble, well, if he was my son I would probably let him continue until the echo. The doctors told me too to stop physical activity until I had my echo done, but I kept on running and cycling (I was training for a marathon at the time so losing a couple of weeks of training wasn't really an option). Granted, I didn't make this decision without doing some research, but all the research I read indicated that the vast majority of murmurs are benign, so I took my chances.....and lived to tell about it :-)
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Old 10-24-2010, 11:17 PM   #8
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I'm sure you are very worried about your son but if it were one of my kids I would let them continue too. My mom has had a heart murmur her entire life and she is 79 yrs old. The echo will be able to tell you more. It just stinks that you need to wait for almost 2 weeks. Maybe if you call them they will be able to put you on a "will call" list if someone cancels. I did that with a test and they called the same day.
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Old 10-25-2010, 07:14 AM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Ellie May View Post
I had the same thing happen, but my echo did not turn out great. Absolutely no strenuous exercise until the echo comes back normal. He is probably fine, but sports pose a huge threat if at least one disease is present (can be asymptomatic which makes it even more dangerous). Feel free to PM if you want.
I absolutely agree with this . Until a precise diagnosis is made with a murmur (and the cause/consequences of the murmur)...I would hold off on strenuous activity. Even though some murmurs are fairly benign, other murmurs are indications of something else (more serious and systemic) going on within the heart. Keep him safe !
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Old 10-25-2010, 10:39 AM   #10
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Hey guys,

Thanks for your thoughts and the article. I'm sorry your's is more serious, Debra. I hope my son's is not.
No, mine is not serious. I just have been told it is there sometimes and sometimes not. Maybe it is so slight some cannot hear or more than likely sometimes it just is not there. It was always noted when I was pregnant and when I had high blood pressure. I think that is common.

Hope your son's is just as innocent.
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Old 10-25-2010, 11:05 AM   #11
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I am so very sorry to hear about your 15 year old son's heart murmur. I would definately seek a pediatric cardiologist for an opinion - which would include a echo.

My middle son (now 27) has a bi-cuspid aortic valve that was discovered when he was two. He had a heart murmur from birth but the pediatrician "spared me from worry" by not telling me about the murmur until it got worse. At his two year old well baby checkup I was advised to see a pediatric cardiologist.

Although his mumur is moderate, my son has had no problems and no restrictions - except that he has to take antibiotics before dental work and any time he has an infection that has "puss".

good luck with your son, your family is in my thoughts and prayers. Please feel free to pm me if you would like to talk.
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Old 10-25-2010, 11:16 AM   #12
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...Although his mumur is moderate, my son has had no problems and no restrictions - except that he has to take antibiotics before dental work and any time he has an infection that has "puss".
Not sure about the "puss" situations but I think they have changed their minds about recommending antibiotics before dental work now. At least that was what I was told a few years back. Another one of those medical recommendations that change over the years. Sort of like babies sleeping on their stomachs, I mean their backs, no their stomachs.....
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Old 10-25-2010, 11:30 AM   #13
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I had to do that - once. The dose was huge. I've since had two cardiologists sign off that it isn't needed (thank God). They are rethinking it. I think it's still used in the more severe cases, but not so much the mild/moderate ones (well, that was a couple years ago anyway ).
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Old 10-25-2010, 04:48 PM   #14
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Well, you guys, food for thought. Thanks for all of your insight and experiences. Might see if I can move up the test to this week.
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Old 11-03-2010, 03:49 PM   #15
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Default Echo turned out ok

Well, we drove to Columbus today to Nationwide Children's Hospital. Matt had his echocardiogram and was given the ok to continue swimming.

There was a slight abnormality but the doctor said absolutely it's nothing to worry about.

He has a very low heart rate but they attribute that to his athlete's training.

I'M SO RELIEVED!!!
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