A Stills murmur is an abnormal heartbeat that presents as low-pitch musical-like sounds coming from the heart.
The sound is often described as similar to a string being plucked on a violin.
It was first documented in 1909 by English pediatrician George Frederic Still.
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The cause isn’t well understood.
That said, the sound can amplify when a person experiences feelings of fear oranxietyor while exercising.
Thomas Barwick / Getty Images
Does the Musical Sound Signify a Health Issue?
That is why its referred to as an “innocent” murmur.
There are other types of innocent heart murmurs, all with varying characteristics.
These types do not indicatecongenital heartdefects, heart disease, or any other abnormality within the heart either.
It can also be found in infants under 2 years old and young adults.
The sound may also come and go over time.
What Does a Stills Murmur Sound Like?
Researchers believe it is related to the pace at whichblood flows through the heart.
How Can You Hear a Stills Murmur?
When Is the Heart Murmur the Loudest?
When a child is lying on their back, the sound of the Stills murmur is the loudest.
Is the Murmur Treated?
Eventually, the murmur will go away over time as the child ages.
While the cause isn’t well understood, these murmurs typically resolve independently without intervention as your child ages.
Massachusetts General Hospital.Still’s murmur.
doi:10.14814/phy2.12041
Congenital & Children’s Heart Center.Innocent heart murmur.
