Heart Murmurs and RA | Arthritis Information

Hey yall...yeah, it's been a while I know! LOL. How is everyone doing?

So I just recently switched to a new RD, and I really really am happy with her. I think she is the best one yet. Anyways, she was listening to my heart (something no other doctor has done in...um..I dont even know how long) and she found I have a heart murmur. I am wondering if there is a conection between the RA and the murmur. I read on web md that rheumatic fever can cause them, but I dont think I ever had that. I also read that high blood pressure can be the culprit. I run a tad on the high side sometimes, but not consistantly, and not real high.
I just wanted to know if anyone else had been diagnosed with a murmur, especially wih otherwise unexplainable causes.Yes Crunchy, I have a benign heart murmur, unexplained! Regards Janie.I had one as a child that I seem to have "outgrown". However, about every 3 years I get a week's worth of heart palpitations...just long enough to see my doctor, be referred to a cardiologist, get the holter monitor and stress test...only for it to disappear and them not to find anything.

Glad to see you here, and glad that you have a good RD on your side.

Hey crunchy, long time no see. what have you been up to? update us. i have had a murmer in the past but currently don't and not sure why. I did have rheumatic fever as a child.

HIYa Crunchy! Good to see you! Glad to hear you have a better RD finally.

I had a heart murmur when I was born, and it went away sometime after I was DXed with JRA.

That is all the information I have. I did not tell my cardiologist about having a heart murmur when I was a baby. I forgot. OPPS!

I will tell him about it when I go to see him next month.

Hope you are doing well.

I had a murmur from a VSD (hole in my heart) at bbirth. it went away when I was about 13.. healed up.. when I developed Cardiomyopathy they started paying real close attention to the heart, no murmurs until about a year after the RA got bad and then the hole came back..

as far as I'm concerned it's all related.

edited due to dreadful non working hands nearly every word had a typo...

kathy_in_wlsv2008-11-20 07:12:06I have had three Dr's within the last year mention that I had a heart murmur. Had been mentioned years ago but nothing else was said about it til recently. I also have frequent palpatations. Never put two and two together that it may be the RA/Lupus causing it. HmmmmHi Crunchy,

I have mild Mitral Valvue Regurgitation. I had an Electrocardiography done because I was having palpatations for a while. They seem to come and go . My primary care dr. said it's not something I need to take antibiotics for when I see the dentist. I remember being diagnosed with a heart murmer when I was in my teens but didn't know much about it. I was diagnosed with RA last Februrary. I've never had rhuematic fever but my mom did as a child. My Rheumy told me he thinks there's a connection between my anxiety, which is causing palpatations...but I haven't really heard anything about RA and a heart murmer. It is interesting to think about though.

That's great you found a RD you are happy with. It makes you feel hopeful and less stressed when you find a dr. you connect with doesn't it?

Take care,

Kelly