Referred to Pediatric Cardiologist for Heart Murmur

The pediatrician heard a heart murmur with my son when he was 4 years old. Maybe they never heard it before because he could never be quiet enough. When we went to the cardiologist, they listened to his heart, and checked the electrical signals with an EKG. Then they spent about 45 minutes doing imaging of his heart(I forgot what it's actually called, but it was like a sonogram). That was the part that showed them the details of exactly what was wrong.
My son did turn out to need surgery for a hole in his heart, and a related problem with valve that didn't close all the way. It was an operation that the experienced surgeon did all the time, but it was like a week-long nightmare to me. After that, my son healed well, had so much more energy, and gained 4 pounds right away. We go back to the cardiologist every 2 years for a checkup, and we joined a support group for kids with heart defects.

if your pediatrician were urgently concerned, she would have ensured that you went directly to the cardiologist, she would not have simply referred you to him/her. As to what it means, you will not know until the cardiologist tells you. Try to remain calm and not borrow trouble.

My daughter's doctor told me she had a heart murmur when she was 3 and referred her to a pediatric cardiologist because there are heart issues in my husband's family. That aside, I think most doctors are going to make a referral to a pediatric cardiologist for something like that for the simple reason that we live in a lawsuit-happy country and doctors are forced to use "excess" testing just to protect themselves in case there ever IS a real problem.

The appointment was a not a negative experience -- they gave her stickers while they did an EKG and then set her up in a room with Curious George cartoons on the TV while they did an ultrasound (and even let her big brother go in with her to watch the cartoons). The result was that yes, she does have a heart murmur like about 10% of the population, but no, it's not something to worry about at this point -- he recommended that we follow-up in two years just to be sure everything's still OK.

Please don't worry yourself sick over this -- chances are pretty good that it's no big deal.

My daughter also was told the same thing when she was 2 years old.we were referred to a cardiologist.and when we went there the staff was horrid and my daughter was terrified with the whole thing and was crying her lungs out. then the nurse was fed up and just said to go and sit in the doctor's room . The doctor came and said your daughter is perfectly fine. when there is any problem with the heart , then the child would not be this active .so i am just telling you this if this could help you.My dad is also a paediatrician and he told me that most of these heart murmurs go away on there own.

One year ago, at my daughters 3 YO check-up they heard a murmer and said it was innocent and not to worry about it. They didn't refer us to a cardiologist and she is still doing great!
My baby boy who just had heart surgery also has a murmer but it's caused by something OTHER than why he had surgery. His is from a valve that is supposed to have 3 flaps (tri-cuspid) and he only has 2 (bi-cuspid). This is something he COULD have tohave repaired later in life as an adult but not right now.
My cousins baby just had to have surgery to close a hole in her heart.

Anyway, the point I'm trying to make is that it really could be anything. I hate that you are worried but totally understand it! I didn't like it when people told me not to worry and that everything would be fine because I DID have the right to worry and I felt like they didn't understand how big of a deal it was to me. I hope that it is just an innocent murmer which IS very likely! I'm sorry you have to wait so long for an appt when you are stressed out already!
You are in my prayers and you can always PM me if you want! :o)

I have had 2 children refered to a cardiologist for this exact same thing. The older of the two was about 2 at the time, they had never heard anything until that visit, they heard one and refered us. We had all the tests that they wanted and it was confirmed that it was only a flow murmur. The same thing happened with our second one. We had never heard one and then all of the sudden it was there, did all the tests and it was confirmed again that it was just a flow murmur. Now when we go to the doctor, they don't even hear or mention that they hear anything. It is a scarey thing, but don't worry yourself needlessly until you know for sure what it going on. You have done what you can do by getting the appointment now just relax and enjoy the kids. If there happens to be more to this, you can worry about it as it comes.
J.--SAHM of 7

My son was referred to the pedi cardiac specialist as well for a heart murmur. It was a long week wait till the appt! Anyways after an EKG and looking at images from when he was born(he was in the nicu for 2 weeks) the specialist said it was a "normal" murmur that will most likely resolve on its own but if any concern arrises in the future please come back or if I had any future question I could email him. Very nice and made me feel confident my kiddo was ok.. hang in there, hopefully it is smooth sailing for you as well :) GL

Stop worrying. This is very common and yes, usually they go away. My niece and nephew both had this.. My nephew is now the Quarterback for his HS. and tonight I watched my niece cheer lead at a football game for her middle school.

Our neighbor also had this when she was born and it want away by the time she was 5.. She has ALWAYS been a VERY active and athletic person. She is in college and plays intramural softball, soccer.

Do go to the doctor, they will recommend some checkups, but most of the time the children grow out of this.

Get some sleep, everything is going to be fine.

We too went through this and the cardiologist deemed it to be 'innocent'. The cardiologist explained why it is very common in young children and you'll probably hear the same thing. I was told that it is important to know though on those time when your child's fever spikes in the early morning hours and you take them to the ER. It will prevent them from misdiagnosing or doing unnecessary tests.

I remember feeling completely devestated when the pediatician told me but it all turned out okay. I also believe they outgrow it as they get older. Regardless I still write it on the school's medical card just in case.

Most of them go away on their own. But if your son has to have surgery, it is considered routine and he will be fine
I had to have a stroke to find out I had a hole in my heart. This way is much better!
Good luck and God bless.

my daughter had the exact same thing and of course what the ped said didnt make me feel any better! but once we went to the cardio they did the tests and said she had a small murmor but what was causing it was a small piece of muscle that made the "woosh" sound when blood passed over it. No big deal i felt sooo much better! I hope this helps