Which of the following best describes a heart murmur?

A heart murmur refers to unusual sounds during a heartbeat, which are typically caused by turbulent blood flow within the heart due to various reasons such as valve abnormalities or increased blood flow. While there may be overlap in terms of symptoms or findings with other conditions, the defining characteristic of a heart murmur is its abnormal sound, which clinicians listen for using a stethoscope.

Conditions such as fluid in the lungs, airway inflammation, and blood clots in the pulmonary artery do not specifically describe the sounds produced by blood flow dynamics through the heart valves or chambers, making them unrelated to the specific definition of a heart murmur. Thus, the essence of a heart murmur lies in its identification as an abnormal sound indicative of potential underlying cardiovascular issues.