Table 1 Heart murmur grading scheme

Grade 1

Very soft murmur heard only after very careful auscultation

Grade 2

Readily heard soft murmur

Grade 3

Moderately loud murmur not associated with palpable precordial thrill

Grade 4

Loud murmur, no or intermittent precordial thrill

Grade 5

Loud murmur associated with palpable precordial thrill; murmur not audible when stethoscope is lifted from thoracic wall

Grade 6

Loud murmur associated with palpable precordial thrill; heard when stethoscope is lifted from thoracic wall