Common Heart Issues in Horses

chamber before it should.
Though heart murmurs can have multiple causes they are often related to infection degeneration or congenital defect. The exact location of the murmur is determined by where it is heard the loudest both physically in the heart and in the phase of the heartbeat.
A mitral valve murmur is detected when there is a leak at the valve that separates the left ventricle from the atrium. This type of murmur is often caused by degeneration related to old age or an infection in the heart valve. It can range from mild to severe the diagnosis will affect how the horse is managed.
David sees tricuspid and aortic valve murmurs frequently as well. Tricuspid murmurs occur when the blood flows backward from the right ventricle to the right atrium. Aortic valve murmurs are when the blood flows backward through the aortic valve. An aortic murmur is the most common valverelated problem found in older horses. Although it is a degenerative disease it tends to progress slowly.
To determine how severe a murmur is the treating veterinarian will combine the findings of a physical exam performance history and exercise testing. The murmurs are then assigned a grade between 1 and 6 based on severity. Heart murmurs frequently become worse with advanced age David notes.
Owners of horses with moderate to severe murmurs are often encouraged to buy a stethoscope and learn what their horses heart rate and rhythm sound like so they can monitor it regularly for changes. A vet may also recommend that the affected horse be examined yearly for this heart issue.
Arrhythmia
Arrhythmia is a general term for an abnormal rate rhythm or conduction movement of electrical impulse in a horses heartbeat. Arrhythmias are a common heart issue in horses but their cause can vary widely.
Though arrhythmias can be brought on by

cardiac disease other causes are often to blame like fever colic electrolyte imbalance congenital defect or toxemia. While some arrhythmias are not constant those associated with a heart murmur may become permanent over time says David.
To detect an arrhythmia the vet will use a stethoscope to determine if the heart is beating fast or slow or if there are long pauses between beats an irregular pattern or extra sounds.
There are multiple types of arrhythmias and proper diagnosis is crucial. Once the type of arrhythmia is determined the significance if any can be defined and the vet can work to determine