Does having a heart murmur qualify as having a "heart problem"?

I have a heart murmur, and I'm tired of everyone saying that I have 'heart problems'. Yeah, problems-- as in plural! Never mind that, a heart murmur isn't even that big of a deal. Millions of people have them and don't even realize it.
If something says "don't do this if you have heart problems", does a heart murmur qualify? I don't think so, but I'm not an expert.
Besides my little 'problem', I am a perfectly normal, healthy 17 year boy. I don't want to be labelled as having 'heart problems' this early in my life. At least wait until I'm old.
So, what's your take on this? Are they overdramatic-- or am I just naive?
Thanks!

Well, I've had all of the tests done... EKG machines, Hulter monitors-- all of that garbage. The doctors didn't detect anything that abnormal-- they just told me to lay off the caffeine. It's not like I have a huge gaping hole in my heart.

I have been functioning just fine with my murmer since birth. But, if you are truly worried, and would like to allay other people's fears of you having a heart problem...get a full cardiac check up. Go to the GP and they can refer you to have a cardiac stress test. They will get you to ride a bike or do a tread mill with cardiac monitoring and see if it is affecting your function.

I read your addit there and am glad to see that the halter monitor was done. Well, just go on living, procratinating won't get you any where and you can tell your friends to lay off you a little :) Report It

I have a slight one, don't consider it a problem, and I'm totally healthy.

heart mumurs vary greatly in severity. depends on what the cause of your murmur is.

Heart murmurs are caused by flow abnormalities in the heart. They are most commonly caused by defective heart valves. They can also be caused by pregnancy, fever, thyrotoxicosis or anemia. Finally, there are so-called "innocent" heart murmurs. Your heart murmur needs to be evaluated and diagnosed by a physician. They can tell you what is causing it and what it means.

Oh, I'd say they'r NOT being overdramatic. I've heard of athletes who have died from that! One 16 YO kid died on the basketball court while shooting hoops with some DrDobson type.

Don't take it lightly!

i have a heart murmur too and i'm young and it doesn't stop me from doing regular things. if you don't want people to know you have one and make a big deal about it, then don't tell them. but be sure to tell doctors and dentists because they really need to know. like today i was at the dentist and she asked me if she needed to give me antibiotics for my heart problem( sometimes dental procedures can send bacteria to your heart and you can die) but i dodn't need it so it wasn't a big deal. just be greatful you don't have a problem that is serious.

If it isn't causing you any problems then I wouldn't label it a problem either. It might keep you out of the military, but it shouldn't keep you from having a great life!

So called functional murmurs just the sound of the blood rushing through the valve are common and a good cardiologist can tell the difference and not worry you.

Excellent Question!!

Most of the time the answer is NO, a heart murmur at that age one might not think that it is serious but this is a trick that might help you.

Systolic Murmurs NOT always are pathological, that doesn't mean that they can't be a serious condition, but most of the time they're not. Diastolic Murmur are ALWAYS pathological.

The other part of your question the answer is probably NO you don't have a heart condition if you ONLY have a heart murmur, but if you do have a diastolic one, then the answer is you might develop this heart condition after wards.

Well you're right, millions of people have murmurs, but the only way to know the severity of it you need to HAVE AN ECHOCARDIOGRAM!!! That is an ultrasound of your heart, much like a baby ultrasound, but of your heart. You need this done especially if you play sports or if espically active! Trust me, you probably won't get too much dental care if you don't have it elvaluated!