Primary Care Lunch and Learn: Heart murmurs for the primary care provider

Objectives (Educational Content) :

1. Define the causes of cardiac murmur

2. Present the abnormal signs and symptoms that can be associated with murmur

3. Describe an approach to murmur that leads to appropriate cardiac referral

Target Audience:

General pediatricians, family physicians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, social workers, psychologists, and nurses.

Identified Gap:

Primary care providers frequently encounter cardiac murmurs during routine examinations, yet many lack the necessary knowledge and confidence to accurately differentiate benign from pathological murmurs, recognize associated abnormal signs and symptoms, and apply a systematic approach for determining when referral to cardiology is appropriate. This knowledge and skill gap can result in delayed diagnosis of serious cardiac conditions, unnecessary referrals, or missed opportunities for timely intervention.

Estimated Time to Complete the Educational Activity:

1 hour(s)

Expiration Date for CE/CME Credit:

12-10-2026

Method of Participation in the Learning Process:

The learner will view the presentation, successfully complete a post-test and complete an activity evaluation.

Evaluation Methods:

All learners must successfully complete a post-test, as well as an activity evaluation, to claim CE/CME credit.

Disclosure:

The following presenter has indicated that no financial relationship with an ineligible company: Peter Vande Kappelle, MD. The following planning committee member has indicated that a financial relationship with an ineligible company: All relationships have been mitigated. The remaining planning committee/CME committee members have indicated that they have no financial relationships with any ineligible companies.

Accreditation Statement:

Children’s Hospital Medical Center of Akron is accredited by the Ohio State Medical Association to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

CHMCA designates this enduring material activity for a maximum of 1.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit TM.  Physicians should only claim the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Bibliography:

1. Circulation 2009: Mahle et al.

2. Mahawattege A, Shearer L, Chambers A. Navigating heart murmurs in children. Aust J Gen Pract. 2025 Jun;54(6):357-361. doi: 10.31128/AJGP-06-24-7321. PMID: 40466724.

3. Frank JE, Jacobe KM. Evaluation and management of heart murmurs in children. Am Fam Physician. 2011 Oct 1;84(7):793-800. PMID: 22010618.