If a murmur is rated as 4/6, what characteristic does it typically have?

A murmur rated as 4/6 typically indicates a loud sound that is accompanied by a palpable thrill. This rating suggests that the murmur is distinctly audible without straining, and the presence of a thrill supports the idea of significant turbulence in blood flow, which is commonly associated with more severe valvular abnormalities or other cardiac conditions.

Murmurs are classified on a scale from 1 to 6 based on their intensity, with a rating of 4 indicating a loud murmur that can generally be heard easily. The thrill felt upon palpation indicates that the underlying hemodynamic changes are pronounced enough to create palpable vibrations due to the turbulent flow of blood. This characteristic can signify important pathologies, making it crucial for clinical assessment and management.

In contrast, a very faint murmur that requires special tools for detection would align with a lower rating on the scale. Low-pitched murmurs are not typically classified by intensity ratings like 4/6 – they are categorized more by timing (e.g., diastolic, systolic) rather than their loudness. Continuous murmurs, on the other hand, do not fit the description of a single intensity rating, as they suggest a different physiological mechanism, such as a patent duct