What if my child's heart murmur isn't "normal"?
A diagnosis of an "abnormal," an "organic," or a "not-innocent" murmur means a child's heart may have a structural irregularity that warrants medical attention. It might be a congenital heart defect – meaning something that didn't develop normally before birth, such as a narrow or leaking valve, a narrow artery, or even a hole in the heart.
If a problem is found, treatment may include medication to control the heart's rhythm or surgery to correct a structural defect. Many structural defects are minor and don't need treatment, because they don't affect the functioning of the heart.
My child's heart seems to be beating awfully fast sometimes. Is this normal?
Probably. A newborn's resting heart rate is about 130 beats per minute, while a child's is normally around 80 to 100 and an adult's is 70 to 90. And the heart rate in a baby or child can rise to 160 beats a minute or more when she's crying or has a fever.
Some medications, including the asthma drug albuterol and the decongestants in allergy and cold remedies, can speed up the heartbeat. If you're concerned about this, call your child's doctor. And if your child seems distressed after being taking any medication, call the doctor or take your child to the emergency room right away.
Should I worry if my baby's heart seems to pound or skip a beat every so often?
Minor variations in heart rate and rhythm are common and usually harmless. Mention it to your child's doctor, though, just to be sure.