Heart Murmurs: When to Relax and When to Consult a Cardiologist

Heart Murmurs: When to Relax and When to Consult a Cardiologist

As defined by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, a heart murmur is “an unusual sound heard between heartbeats.” It is the “whooshing” or “swishing” sound that is often present in childhood or during pregnancy and usually nothing to be alarmed about. However, a heart murmur may be indicative of an underlying condition. Below, we discuss when you should consider consulting a cardiologist in Tampa Bay regarding your heart murmurs. If you are ever concerned with your heart health, schedule an appointment with Ascent Cardiology Group.
Signs of an Abnormal Heart Murmur
If you have heart murmurs, you likely aren’t experiencing any noticeable symptoms at all. This just means that your heart murmurs are likely harmless. As mentioned, heart murmurs can be present in growing children and expecting mothers, but they can also emerge as a result of exercise, fever, or a growth spurt during adolescence. However, if your heart murmur is the result of a serious condition, you may be experiencing some of the following symptoms:

• Bluish skin, fingertips, or lips
• Chest pain
• Decreased appetite
• Difficulty breathing
• Dizziness
• Enlarged liver or neck veins
• Lightheadedness
• Persistent cough
• Rapid weight gain
Should I See a Cardiologist?
If you are experiencing any of the above symptoms, you should consult the best cardiologist in the Tampa Bay area. It may be nothing, or it may be something serious. You’ll never know until you consult a medical professional – it is always better to be safe than sorry when it comes to your heart health. Only a cardiologist has the expertise to accurately diagnose your condition and determine if your heart murmurs are harmless or harmful. While a simple listen through a stethoscope is usually enough to detect heart murmurs, our team of cardiologists can employ a number of techniques to discover the underlying cause, including X-rays, echocardiogram, or cardiac catheterization.
Turn to the Cardiologists at Ascent Cardiology Group
While heart murmurs are usually harmless, they may be a sign of a congenital heart defect, heart valve issues, endocarditis, or rheumatic fever — conditions that can permanently damage the heart. In the event that your heart murmur a sign of something serious, you’ll want the best cardiologist in the Tampa Bay area on your side. Under the esteemed leadership of Dr. Sachin Diwadkar, FACC, FASE, our team of board-certified cardiologists are prepared to help you in any way possible. Whether your heart murmur is harmless or not, you can benefit from seeing a cardiologist that will put your heart health first and ensure that it continues pumping properly for years to come.
To consult a cardiologist in the Tampa Bay from Ascent Cardiology Group, please request an appointment today.
Disclaimer: The contents of this website are for general educational purposes only. All content and media on the Ascent Cardiology Group website does not constitute professional medical advice nor is the information intended to replace the services of Ascent Cardiology Group or other qualified medical professionals. If you believe you are having a medical emergency, call 911 immediately.

The content, views, and opinions communicated on this website do not represent the views of Ascent Cardiology Group. Reliance on any information provided by this website is solely at your own risk. Although this website contains links to other medical websites, this is strictly for informational purposes. Ascent Cardiology Group is not responsible nor do they approve of the content featured on any third party linked websites referenced on this website.
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How High Blood Pressure Affects Your Heart and Body

High blood pressure, or hypertension, is defined just as it sounds: a condition in which the force of the blood against the walls of your blood vessels is abnormally high. This increase in pressure eventually leads to long-term health problems, such as heart disease, heart failure, aneurysms, dementia, and even death. High blood pressure can be present for years without any symptoms appearing, all the while damaging your heart and organs. Below, we discuss the short- and long-term effects of high blood pressure on the heart and body. If you or a loved one is dealing with high blood pressure, be sure to consult a Tampa heart specialist from Ascent Cardiology Group.
The Short-Term Effects
High blood pressure can fall under one of two categories: primary hypertension and secondary hypertension. Primary hypertension has no underlying cause and can take many years to develop and notice. Secondary hypertension, on the other hand, results from an underlying medical condition, such as birth defects, medications, or illicit drugs.

Whether due to primary or secondary hypertension, pressure on your artery wall puts added stress on your heart. In the short term, both men and women can experience sexual dissatisfaction. As your arteries continue to become weakened and less elastic they become increasingly inefficient in supplying blood, oxygen, and nutrients to the body. Once you experience the signs of high blood pressure — headaches, nosebleeds, and shortness of breath — permanent damage may have already set in.
The Long-Term Damage
As the tissues inside your arteries are damaged and “bad” cholesterol builds up, the risks of developing complications increases. Because every part of your body needs blood to function, virtually every aspect of your person can be compromised by high blood pressure. Sufferers with undiagnosed high blood pressure run the risk of developing:

• Stroke
• Heart Attack
• Heart Failure
• Vision Loss
• Aneurysm
• Kidney Failure
• Memory Loss
• Vascular Dementia

These are just a few of the complications that can result from uncontrolled high blood pressure. Because high blood pressure is known as a “silent killer,” your only way of combating it is by scheduling regular check ups with a heart specialist in Tampa Bay.
Schedule an appointment with a Tampa Heart Specialist
While it may take years before your high blood pressure develops symptoms, your cardiologist can diagnose your condition over the course of a few short visits. Treatment may entail lifestyle changes, such as implementing a healthy diet and an active lifestyle, or it may involve taking prescription medications. In the event that your blood pressure does not respond to medications — resistant hypertension — you’ll want a cardiologist on your side who can explore potential underlying causes and find a treatment that’s right for you. Diagnosing high blood pressure and treating the underlying cause is a challenge that should only be undertaken by a board-certified cardiologist. If you have any reason to believe that you are suffering from blood pressure spikes, request an appointment with a team of cardiologists that can protect your heart health no matter the cause.
To consult a heart specialist in Tampa Bay from Ascent Cardiology Group, please request an appointment today.
Disclaimer: The contents of this website are for general educational purposes only. All content and media on the Ascent Cardiology Group website does not constitute professional medical advice nor is the information intended to replace the services of Ascent Cardiology Group or other qualified medical professionals. If you believe you are having a medical emergency, call 911 immediately.

The content, views, and opinions communicated on this website do not represent the views of Ascent Cardiology Group. Reliance on any information provided by this website is solely at your own risk. Although this website contains links to other medical websites, this is strictly for informational purposes. Ascent Cardiology Group is not responsible nor do they approve of the content featured on any third party linked websites referenced on this website.
More Resources