Which condition is commonly associated with physiologic murmurs?

Which condition is commonly associated with physiologic murmurs?

• A. Anemia
• B. Aortic stenosis
• C. Pulmonary hypertension
• D. Mitral regurgitation

Answer: (A)

Physiologic (innocent) murmurs come from increased blood flow through normal valves, not from valve or chamber pathology. A classic high‑flow state is anemia, where the heart pumps more blood to meet tissue needs, boosting flow across the heart and generating a soft, systolic flow murmur. It’s typically heard at the left upper sternal border and lacks the signs of a pathologic murmur. The other conditions involve structural or vascular disease that changes the valve mechanics or pressures, producing murmurs with characteristic features (for example, a harsh systolic murmur with carotid radiation in aortic stenosis, or a holosystolic blow at the apex in mitral regurgitation). Therefore, anemia is the classic situation associated with physiologic murmurs.

Physiologic (innocent) murmurs come from increased blood flow through normal valves, not from valve or chamber pathology. A classic high‑flow state is anemia, where the heart pumps more blood to meet tissue needs, boosting flow across the heart and generating a soft, systolic flow murmur. It’s typically heard at the left upper sternal border and lacks the signs of a pathologic murmur.

The other conditions involve structural or vascular disease that changes the valve mechanics or pressures, producing murmurs with characteristic features (for example, a harsh systolic murmur with carotid radiation in aortic stenosis, or a holosystolic blow at the apex in mitral regurgitation). Therefore, anemia is the classic situation associated with physiologic murmurs.