Heart Mumur DQ?

[christian14223]

I have never been diagnosed with any type of irregularity or heart trouble before and I went to my DoDMERB today and the doctor said I had a slight heart murmur. I am freaking out because in my recent previous sports physicals I have not been diagnosed with a heart murmur and I have never felt any effects of the condition. Will I be disqualified for this condition? I am applying to the USMMA and WP. Thank you to everyone that can help!!

 

[AROTC-dad]

It depends.... There are apparently many types of heart murmurs, so no one here can tell you what your outcome will be.

Here are some past threads.
https://www.serviceacademyforums.com/index.php?threads/heart-murmur-disqualifying.14958/
https://www.serviceacademyforums.com/index.php?threads/waiting-on-waiver-for-heart-murmur.5479/
https://www.serviceacademyforums.com/index.php?threads/heart-murmur-as-a-kid.2828/

You might be asked to complete an echocardiogram and to complete a Form DD 2374.

Bottom line, your health comes first above all. You should take the evaluation and recommendation from the examining physician seriously and follow up with your personal physician and/or cardiologist.

 

[Usamom2018]

Same thing happened to my son. He had follow up echo and it was determined no issue and he was qualified. It did take several weeks to get results and qualified so patience may be tested .

 

[christian14223]

Same thing happened to my son. He had follow up echo and it was determined no issue and he was qualified. It did take several weeks to get results and qualified so patience may be tested .

After attending the initial exam, about how long did it take to get the follow up notification that he needed to get an echo?

 

[Ravens]

Have you ever seen "A Few Good Men"? These doctors are doing a thorough check of your health and unfortunately some of it comes packaged in the CYA category. It's best to get it checked out just to ensure there is nothing wrong. I understand it's frustrating but there have been many instances where someone got a basic physical completed and it actually saved their life.

 

[Humey]

They always seem to find weird stuff. My son and his friend from AF Rotc went to get their physical in order to quailfy to be pilots. His friend was disqualifed from flying because they found cataracts in his eyes that no one has ever seen before. He was probably born with it. He has however perfect vision. Another guy was disqualified because the positioning of the eye was off.

 

[GoArmy2022]

Sometimes DoDMERB doctors "find" things that aren't actually there...this actually happened to my friend this year. The EXACT same thing. She went in to a different doctor and he asked why the heck somebody could possibly think she has a heart murmur. For starters, she runs at least 3 miles a day and I'm usually there when she does it. I'm pretty sure I would've had to call an ambulance at least once by now if she had any heart issues. I don't know if her first doctor had hearing issues or what, but I think you should go see another doctor who's qualified to examine military candidates. Also getting coach's notes would be helpful if you're in a running sport.

Oh, and most importantly, whatever DoDMERB says, do it.

 

[Usamom2018]

It took about a week for request to do echo. The long wait was after echo for official results

 

[Tigger]

Still's murmur is an innocent heart murmur and is not always heard. If a healthcare provider hears a murmur they can't lie and say they didn't hear it. So maybe don't be so quick to jump to conclusions about what a professional documents regarding a physical exam?

Sometimes DoDMERB doctors "find" things that aren't actually there...this actually happened to my friend this year. The EXACT same thing. She went in to a different doctor and he asked why the heck somebody could possibly think she has a heart murmur. For starters, she runs at least 3 miles a day and I'm usually there when she does it. I'm pretty sure I would've had to call an ambulance at least once by now if she had any heart issues. I don't know if her first doctor had hearing issues or what, but I think you should go see another doctor who's qualified to examine military candidates. Also getting coach's notes would be helpful if you're in a running sport.

Oh, and most importantly, whatever DoDMERB says, do it.

 

[GoArmy2022]

Still's murmur is an innocent heart murmur and is not always heard. If a healthcare provider hears a murmur they can't lie and say they didn't hear it. So maybe don't be so quick to jump to conclusions about what a professional documents regarding a physical exam?

I wasn't trying to assume the case this person has. Just trying to state a possibility. She'd never had anybody tell her she had a heart murmur before, and I understand that health care officials can't lie. The second doctor she saw told her that she absolutely did not have one. Just thinking this might be what's going on here.

 

[kinnem]

As a heart patient with (unfortunately) vast years of experience, sometimes heart problems can be heard because they are active, and sometimes they are not active and cannot be heard. My own afib is an example.

OP - you should always take a heart issue seriously because damage can build up overtime, shortening your lifespan. I would at least mention this to your primary care physician, even if it doesn't result in a remedial or DQ. I also wouldn't freak out about it.
1. It may not be a real problem
2. Even if it is a real problem there is nothing you can do about it other than what doctors tell you.
Don't mean to panic you but I want to make sure you at least follow up on this at some point, DQ or no DQ.
BTW... from the Wedmd page on heart murmurs.

Most are innocent and don't require any treatment. But there are exceptions.

 

[WXH1]

Tigger is correct. A Stills murmur is a completely innocent murmur ( sound) with no underlying structural cause, difference, or abnormality. The individual has a perfectly normal heart that just makes a sound and it is inconsistently heard. An individual with a Stills murmur can do any and every strenuous activity. Of course none of us know if OP's murmur is innocent, but innocent murmurs do exist. Good luck to OP

 

[Dldslp]

An innocent murmur on exam still requires an echo and a report from a cardiologist that states that the murmur will not interfere with you attending the academy or fully participating in all required activities.

 

[AirsoftRanger]

Still's murmur is an innocent heart murmur and is not always heard. If a healthcare provider hears a murmur they can't lie and say they didn't hear it. So maybe don't be so quick to jump to conclusions about what a professional documents regarding a physical exam?

I wasn't trying to assume the case this person has. Just trying to state a possibility. She'd never had anybody tell her she had a heart murmur before, and I understand that health care officials can't lie. The second doctor she saw told her that she absolutely did not have one. Just thinking this might be what's going on here.

The ability to hear a heart murmur varies between examiners, as well as the tendency to "joust", or slander other examiners. I was granted the burden of hearing murmurs when others cannot - hundreds of times - believe it or not. I will dispense with the interesting tidbits and move on to solution:
1) Tonight google your closest OUTPATIENT ECHOCARDIOGRAM outfit.
2) Monday, Arrive at their front door 10 minutes before they open with $700 cash in your pocket and no caffeine in your system.
3) When they open, announce to the receptionist that you are a FUTURE WEST POINTER AND your intent to obtain an echocardiogram, approved by your Service Academy Friendly Physician, who you are positive will fax them his order within ten minutes.
4) Produce your Insurance Card Coverage and pay ANYTHING THEY ASk.
5) When they tell you they have no openings, ask if you can sit in the waiting room in case a slot opens.
6) Sooner or later they will run you through.
7) Badger receptionist for a hard copy report.... "today, if at all possible, please"!
8) Pop in to your primary care office and explain the debacle, and ask for a GLOWING report to include your (hopefully) normal echo report for your friends at DODMERB!!
that's what i would do.