Which term describes abnormal heart sounds?

Which term describes abnormal heart sounds?

• A. Murmurs
• B. Thrombophlebitis
• C. Varicose Veins
• D. Pericarditis

Answer: (A)

Abnormal heart sounds are called murmurs. They occur when blood flows turbulently through the heart, often due to valve problems such as stenosis (valve narrowing) or regurgitation (valve leaking), or due to structural defects. Murmurs can be heard during different parts of the cardiac cycle—systole or diastole—and their timing, duration, and character help hint at the underlying issue. The other terms point to conditions not about heart sounds: thrombophlebitis is vein inflammation with a clot, varicose veins are enlarged superficial veins, and pericarditis is inflammation of the heart’s surrounding sac, which can produce a friction rub but is not the general term for abnormal heart sounds.

Abnormal heart sounds are called murmurs. They occur when blood flows turbulently through the heart, often due to valve problems such as stenosis (valve narrowing) or regurgitation (valve leaking), or due to structural defects. Murmurs can be heard during different parts of the cardiac cycle—systole or diastole—and their timing, duration, and character help hint at the underlying issue. The other terms point to conditions not about heart sounds: thrombophlebitis is vein inflammation with a clot, varicose veins are enlarged superficial veins, and pericarditis is inflammation of the heart’s surrounding sac, which can produce a friction rub but is not the general term for abnormal heart sounds.