What are the risks of having a heart murmur?

There are a few risks associated with having a heart murmur. One is that you may be at an increased risk for developing bacterial endocarditis. This is a serious infection of the inner lining of your heart that can sometimes be fatal. Symptoms of bacterial endocarditis include fever, chills, shortness of breath, and chest pain.

Another risk associated with heart murmurs is that they can sometimes be a sign of an underlying heart problem, such as cardiomyopathy or valvular disease. If you have a heart murmur, it's important to get it checked out by your doctor to make sure there isn't an underlying problem.