For slight murmurs, is it appropriate to get an ekg or an echocardiogram?

Often: Depending on what is heard, a murmur is an indication for an echo, and sometimes and ecg. Many murmurs are benign or flow murmurs which are usually short, soft, and heard best near your aortic valve listening area. Just like when water flows through your pipes you can hear it -- the same is true with flow murmurs. Often though, your doctor will want to check to ensure the heart valves are ok.

Murmurs: Murmurs can be present in a structurally normal heart, common in children and pregnant women, and can be seen with fever, hyperthyroidism or anemia. Murmurs can also be due to holes in the heart or heart valve abnormalities. It’s not always necessary to have an ekg or an echo for murmurs, but if there’s any suspicion of underlying structural heart problems, either one or both might be appropriate.

Murmur: Both are usually done for evaluation. Although, the exam may confirm a benign murmer that does not need to be further evaluated.

Both: Both an ekg and an echo might be appropriate for diagnosis of a murmur. Complete evaluation can depend on when it was recognized and whether you are having any other symptoms, such as dizziness, skipping beats, or shortness of breath. Some murmurs are benign but you should always let your physician know if something is new or changing with your symptoms.

Mabye: About one third of people will have a heart murmur at some time in their lives or under certain conditions. The great majority of these will be "benign" meaning perfectly harmless. Your son's primary provider should be able to determine if his is benign, or might warrant further evaluation. Good luck !l.