What's Iron Deficiency Anemia?

Has anyone had a heart murmur caused by iron-deficiency anemia?

• I was told for the first time today that I have a heart murmur, and I'm 35. I'm sure that, if I'd had a murmur all my life, I would have heard about it before. The doctor said that anemia can cause a heart murmur, and, luckily, once you cure the anemia, the murmur goes away. I've had several slips into anemia; I just don't absorb iron that well. I've looked on the 'net, but most results are about children and animals. Does anyone have a similar story?

• Answer:

  Yes, your doctor is right. A high output flow murmur is common as your heart is working harder to pump oxygen round your body. When the offending cause is cured, the murmur will go away. Same thing happens in pregnancy, fevers etc. Having said that, an Echocardiogram will lay your mind at ease and is non-invasive, and relatively cheap. I can be done as an outpatient. Go ask your doctor if you're worried, but if he's never noticed it before, it's likely to be a flow murmur. Also, people dont usually hear their murmurs that well, your brain kinda cancels it out. Anyhoo, good luck!