CVS Week 5

Question 1

Topic 1: Murmurs
* TLO 5.1.1: Describe why murmurs occur

Answer 1

• Murmurs are abnormal heart sounds produced by turbulent blood flow across heart valves or within the heart chambers. This turbulence can arise from:
• Stenosis: Narrowing of a valve orifice restricts forward blood flow, increasing velocity and causing turbulence as blood squeezes through.
• Regurgitation (Insufficiency): Leaky valves allow backward flow of blood when the valve should be closed, creating turbulence as blood flows against the pressure gradient.
• High flow states: Increased cardiac output or blood volume can overwhelm normal valve function, leading to relative turbulence (e.g., in pregnancy or anemia).
• Structural abnormalities: Defects like ventricular septal defects (VSDs) or atrial septal defects (ASDs) create abnormal flow patterns and turbulence.

Question 2

• TLO 5.1.2: Describe how murmurs are affected by inspiration, expiration, Valsalva and isometric handgrip manoeuvre