A heart murmur often sounds more alarming than it is. For many people, it's merely the sound of blood flowing a little differently through the heart valves — what doctors call an "innocent" murmur. But for others, the murmur points to an underlying structural issue, like a valve that doesn't close tightly or a narrow opening. In those cases, certain everyday habits can quietly add strain, making the murmur more pronounced or causing symptoms like fatigue, shortness of breath, or swelling.
If your doctor has told you that you have a heart murmur, understanding which behaviors can worsen it over time matters more than worrying about the noise itself. Below are two common habits that can put extra pressure on your heart and potentially make a pre-existing murmur more problematic. These are not about drastic lifestyle overhauls — they are about small adjustments that protect your heart over the long run.
1. Neglecting Dental Hygiene and Skipping Antibiotic Prophylaxis
It might seem surprising that brushing your teeth relates to your heart, but the connection is well established. When you have certain types of heart murmurs — especially those caused by a valve defect like mitral valve prolapse or a history of endocarditis — bacteria from your mouth can enter your bloodstream during routine activities like chewing or brushing. For most people, the immune system clears this quickly. However, when a heart valve is already damaged or abnormal, those bacteria can settle on the valve surface and cause infective endocarditis, a serious infection that inflames the heart tissue and worsens the murmur.
Skipping regular dental cleanings or delaying treatment for gum disease isn't just a mouth issue. Over time, chronic low-grade inflammation from gingivitis or periodontitis keeps the immune system on alert, which can also add to systemic inflammation and place extra burden on the heart. For those with a known murmur that requires it, your cardiologist may recommend a short course of antibiotics before dental procedures — a practice called antibiotic prophylaxis. Forgetting to take that precaution, even for a routine cleaning, carries real risk.
Practical steps
- Brush and floss daily to minimize bacterial buildup.
- Visit your dentist every six months and remind them about your heart condition.
- If your doctor prescribed antibiotics for dental visits, set a reminder to fill the prescription beforehand.
2. Consistent Dehydration — Especially During Exercise
Water is more than fuel for your muscles. Adequate hydration keeps your blood volume stable, which helps the heart pump efficiently without extra strain. When you become dehydrated — even mildly — your blood volume decreases. Your heart then compensates by beating faster and with more force to maintain circulation. For someone with a normal heart, that's usually manageable. But if you already have a murmur caused by a leaky or stiff valve, this increased workload can amplify the turbulence of blood flow, making the murmur louder and potentially converting a silent structural issue into one that causes noticeable symptoms.
Dehydration also lowers blood pressure in some people, which can reduce the amount of blood returning to the heart. That reduced preload means the heart has to work harder during each beat. Over months and years, repeating this cycle can gradually worsen the underlying valve problem.
Hydration tips for heart health
- Aim for water throughout the day, not just when you feel thirsty.
- Before, during, and after exercise, sip water even if you don't feel parched.
- Be mindful on hot days; heat and sweat accelerate fluid loss.
A simple gauge: if your urine is light yellow, you are likely well hydrated. Darker urine suggests you need more fluids.
Small Changes, Real Protection
Living with a heart murmur doesn't mean you need to avoid activity or live in fear. But recognizing that your body responds to daily choices — from dental care to how much water you drink — puts control back in your hands. Both of these habits are completely modifiable. By paying attention to oral health and staying hydrated, you can reduce unnecessary stress on your heart valves and keep your murmur from turning into a bigger problem.
Always consult your cardiologist before making changes, especially if you have a complex valve condition or other heart symptoms. But for most people, these two adjustments are safe, simple, and powerfully effective over time.
