Heart murmurs in horses are caused by turbulent blood flow and can vary from completely harmless to a sign of serious heart disease. Here’s a breakdown of what they mean and how they’re diagnosed.
What Is a Heart Murmur?
- Murmurs are abnormal heart sounds caused by changes in blood flow velocity.
- Others may signal issues like valve leaks or congenital disabilities.
How Are Murmurs Diagnosed?
Veterinarians assess murmurs based on the following:
- Location: Where the murmur is loudest (e.g., left or right side of the chest).
- Timing: Whether it occurs during systole (when the heart contracts) or diastole (when it relaxes).
- Intensity: Graded on a scale of 1 to 6, from very soft to extremely loud.
Advanced diagnostics, like echocardiograms, help pinpoint the exact cause and severity of the murmur.
Common Causes of Heart Murmurs
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- Valve Issues: Aortic, mitral, tricuspid, or pulmonic regurgitation (leaks) due to age or infection.
- Congenital Defects: Ventricular septal defect: A hole between the heart’s ventricles.
- Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA): A fetal vessel that fails to close after birth.
How Murmurs Affect Horses
- Many murmurs have no impact on health or performance.
- Severe murmurs, particularly those caused by valve leaks or congenital defects, may lead to reduced stamina, fatigue, or even heart failure in extreme cases.
Key Takeaway
If your horse is diagnosed with a heart murmur, don’t panic! Please work with your veterinarian to monitor their condition and assess whether further diagnostics or lifestyle changes are necessary.