What is a murmur in the context of heart examination?

A murmur refers to an abnormal sound that is detected when listening to the heart with a stethoscope. This sound is produced by turbulent blood flow, which can result from various factors such as valvular defects, congenital heart conditions, or increased blood flow through normal valves. Murmurs can vary in intensity, duration, and quality, and they can be classified as either systolic or diastolic, depending on the phase of the heartbeat during which they occur.

Understanding murmurs is crucial in a clinical setting because they can indicate underlying cardiovascular issues that may require further investigation or management. In contrast to a normal heart sound, which includes the familiar "lub-dub" sounds created by the closing of heart valves, murmurs are noteworthy as they suggest an abnormality that may necessitate further evaluation.

Rapid heart rate and weak pulse are indicators of other cardiovascular conditions but do not pertain specifically to the definition of a murmur.