Which type of murmur is typically pathologic?

Diastolic murmurs are typically indicative of underlying cardiac pathology and often suggest abnormalities in heart structures or function. In the cardiac cycle, diastolic murmurs occur during the heart's relaxation phase, specifically when the ventricles fill with blood from the atria. These murmurs are associated with conditions such as aortic regurgitation or mitral stenosis, which can lead to significant clinical issues if left untreated.

Systolic murmurs, while they can sometimes indicate pathology, are more frequently associated with conditions that may be benign, especially in younger patients or during pregnancy. Physiologic murmurs are generally considered normal findings, often heard due to increased blood flow states (like during exercise) without any significance of heart disease.

Continuous murmurs can indicate a vascular abnormality, such as a patent ductus arteriosus, but they are less commonly associated with the same range of pathologies as diastolic murmurs.

Understanding the significance of diastolic murmurs in clinical practice helps in differentiating between normal variations and pathological conditions, which is critical for effective patient assessment and management.