A murmur is a finding—not a diagnosis.

Some systolic murmurs are physiological. Others reveal important valvular, congenital or myocardial disease. The clinical task is to describe the sound accurately, connect it to physiology, identify complications and decide who needs investigation or specialist care.

In Episode 5 of The Clinical Next Step, we work through a practical approach to heart murmurs and abnormal heart sounds.

You will learn how to:

• Describe a murmur by timing, shape, location, radiation, intensity and response to manoeuvres • Interpret abnormal S1, S2, S3 and S4 findings • Use inspiration, standing, Valsalva, squatting and handgrip to refine the differential • Distinguish reassuring innocent patterns from pathological findings • Recognize patterns associated with aortic stenosis, mitral regurgitation, aort ...