What is a diastolic heart murmur?

What is a diastolic heart murmur?

A diastolic (die-a-STOL-ic) heart murmur is an abnormal sound that occurs during diastole (die-AS-tuh-lee), when your heart rests between beats. In a blood pressure reading, the diastolic pressure is the lower number.

A murmur may sound like a “swish” or “whoosh.” It occurs because of blood flowing in your heart’s valves.

Often, heart murmurs aren’t dangerous. But sometimes, they point to heart conditions. If you have a diastolic murmur, your healthcare provider may give you tests to check for other heart problems.