In matters of the heart, a murmur could be red flag or much ado about nothing

The moment sends an electric shockwave through every parent. The pediatrician places a stethoscope on your child and listens silently. Then listens in another spot and another.

She lifts her head and says simply, "There's a heart murmur."

What does that mean? Is the child in danger? What about the ability to lead a normal life or play sports? What's down the road? Bed rest? Surgery? Medications?

"A murmur is a term used to describe a sound, a flow-related sound, we hear with a stethoscope," said Dr. Susan Cummings, a pediatric cardiologist with the Children's National Medical Center, which has an Outpatient Center at 888...