{"id":6652,"date":"2019-06-03T01:48:40","date_gmt":"2019-06-03T01:48:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.io\/?p=6652"},"modified":"2021-06-10T13:20:49","modified_gmt":"2021-06-10T13:20:49","slug":"15-tips-to-prevent-and-cope-with-a-heart-murmur","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.io\/15-tips-to-prevent-and-cope-with-a-heart-murmur\/","title":{"rendered":"15 Tips to Prevent and Cope With a Heart Murmur"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Heart murmurs occur either during birth or later in life. It causes the heart to make a swishing or whooshing sound because there is turbulent blood near or in the heart. Heart murmurs can only be heard through a stethoscope. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even though heart murmurs are not a serious condition, sometimes additional tests may be needed to be sure that there is no underlying disease that could be causing it. If there is an underlying disease, the heart murmur will go away after the disease is treated. As for a child who is born with it, it will go away on its own as they get older. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

There is no treatment needed for a heart murmur. In fact, a heart murmur is innocent and can\u2019t cause a heart attack. You can still do your normal daily activities with a heart murmur. There are eight tips to prevent and cope with heart murmur.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Eating a healthy diet will prevent a heart murmur. <\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

When it comes to eating a healthy diet, you should eat lean meats, fresh fruits, and vegetables. It is a good idea to eliminate foods with fats and salt in them. When you want something sweet, eat a piece of fruit. Even though canned vegetables are better than eating no vegetables at all, it is processed. It is better to buy fresh vegetables and cook them the way you want to. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Canned vegetables are high in sodium<\/a> and too much sodium isn\u2019t good for the heart. If you must eat canned vegetables choose low sodium options. Healthy foods allow you to stay fuller longer. Junk food makes you feel full for a little while and causes you to crave more later on. It tastes good, but it\u2019s bad for your body. As you get older, eating junk food takes a toll on your body, including your heart.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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2. <\/strong>Exercising on a regular basis will help you prevent and cope with a heart murmur. <\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Exercise <\/a>doesn\u2019t have to be difficult. Walking for at least 30 minutes a day is good for a healthy heart. As you get used to walking 30 minutes, work your way up to an hour a day. You will begin to lose weight in addition to eating a healthy diet. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

On a rainy day, you can still exercise inside of the home with DVDs or using YouTube. YouTube has a ton of fitness videos for beginners to advanced exercisers. Cardio is good for a healthy heart, but you will need to incorporate strength training into your routine at least twice a week. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

You don\u2019t necessarily need weights. You can use your body weight. Since you have a heart murmur, you don\u2019t want to strain on heavyweights. With any exercise program, you should always consult with your physician beforehand.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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3. <\/strong>Cut down on drinking alcohol. <\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

It may be easier said than done if you have been drinking on a daily basis for years. Drinking on a regular basis can damage your heart and if you have a heart murmur drinking alcohol<\/a> has already caused some damage. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you must drink alcohol, cut down to just drinking on the weekends until you\u2019re not drinking at all. It is okay to drink alcohol in moderation. You\u2019re not only damaging your heart, but your liver and kidneys as well. Drinking alcohol leads to obesity because it has a ton of calories, high blood pressure, and heart failure. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is even worse for a woman who is pregnant and drinks alcohol. Her unborn child will have birth defects or she may have a miscarriage. Drinking alcohol may seem fun, but after drinking for years and years, it will take a toll on your health.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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4. <\/strong>Keep pre-existing illnesses under control is one way to cope and prevent a heart murmur. <\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Some pre-existing illnesses include, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes<\/a>. It is important that you eat healthy, exercise, and take your medication every day to control these illnesses. You\u2019ll need to check your sugar every day and visit your doctor whenever you have an appointment. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Always listen to your doctor when he or she tells you to do something that involves your health. So many patients will not listen to their doctor when there is a problem and end up having worse problems later on. For example, with a heart murmur, your doctor will expect you to have followed up tests. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

You\u2019ll need to take those follow-up tests to be sure that your heart is working correctly. If you need to see a specialist for your heart, go to that specialist also.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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5. <\/strong>Maintain good dental hygiene is a way to prevent a heart murmur. <\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

By having good dental hygiene<\/a>, bacteria can\u2019t get into the bloodstream and affect the heart valves. \u00a0As we get older, our teeth will become decayed, especially if we already had bad dental hygiene as a child. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In order to get rid of decayed teeth, you\u2019ll need to have all of your teeth taken out and get dentures. Dentures still need to be cleaned on a regular basis to prevent bacteria from getting into the mouth. Dentures can carry bacteria if they are not cleaned. Younger adults need to visit the dentist on a regular basis to keep their teeth healthy. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whenever you have a toothache, you may buy toothache medicine, but that is just a short-term solution. The tooth will still decay without the proper procedure done to help save it. Even fillings need to be changed over time.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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6. Stop smoking will help you to prevent a heart murmur. <\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

It is not easy to quit smoking<\/a>, so only a doctor can help you unless you decide to quit cold turkey. Quitting cold turkey can sometimes have a negative impact because you\u2019ll have side effects, which could lead you to smoking again. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some people can quit cold turkey without any side effects. It\u2019s something they want to do and there is no looking back. By stop smoking, blood is able to flow to the heart easier. When you smoke, your arteries become tight, which makes your heart work even harder. When you have a heart murmur, you don\u2019t want nicotine in your body. Second-hand smoke is bad enough, but it\u2019s best to quit smoking as soon as possible. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even though a heart murmur isn\u2019t a big deal, it can become serious if you\u2019re putting harmful chemicals in your body.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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7. <\/strong>Get a chest X-ray to see how your heart is functioning. <\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Two X-rays<\/a> you may need to get is an ECG and echocardiography. They will show the doctor how your heart is functioning, the size, and to see if there are any abnormalities. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

If there are any problems with your heart, the doctor can take steps, so that you won\u2019t have any additional problems later on. You may have to take additional medication if you are already taking medication for pre-existing conditions. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In severe cases, you may have to have surgery to correct the heart murmur. When it comes to X-rays, they will have to be done on a regular basis. For instance, once your heart murmur looks good to the doctor, he or she may request for you to get another X-ray six months later. In serious cases, you may have to get an X-ray more often. It is important that you take every X-ray that the doctor suggests.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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8. Finding out if there is a family history of heart murmur is a way to prevent it in the first place. <\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

You can take steps to prevent a heart murmur<\/a> if you know your family\u2019s medical history. You can eat healthy, exercise, and not smoke or drink. Even if you find out later in life that your family has a history of a heart murmur, you can make lifestyle changes. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

For instance, if you find out you have a heart murmur and are a binge drinker and smoker, your doctor can place you on a program that will help you slowly quit drinking and smoking. You may be surprised on who in your family has a heart murmur, especially if the person that has it is physically active. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A heart murmur doesn\u2019t stop you from doing things you love. The healthier lifestyle you have, the more you\u2019ll be able to do normal things.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\r\n

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