Sinus arrhythmia (normal in dogs, but abnormal in cats): increased heart rate when breathing in and decreased heart rate when breathing out Causes of Irregular Heartbeat in CatsĬertain breeds, particularly brachycephalic (smooshed-face) cats like Persians and Himalayans, as well as Maine Coon cats, are more prone to cardiac arrhythmias than others.Ī variety of causes can lead to cardiac arrhythmias in cats including: If you notice any of these symptoms in your cat, take them to their veterinarian for an examination immediately. Open-mouth breathing, difficulty breathing Symptoms of heart disease that might be noticeable in cats include: Additionally, your vet might hear a heart murmur caused by an abnormal blood flow between heartbeats. These irregularities can include the heart beating too fast, too slow, or skipping beats. Symptoms of an arrhythmia are uncommon unless they indicate an underlying disease or the arrhythmia has been present for a long time.Ī veterinarian can hear an irregular heartbeat using a stethoscope. Although relatively uncommon, cardiac arrhythmias can occur in cats of any age, breed, or sex. Some of these conditions may result in illness, while others may not. Underlying causes that can trigger a heart arrhythmia, which can be temporary or permanent. Any disruption of electrical impulses leads to an irregular heartbeat. When the heart beats, it pumps oxygen-rich blood throughout the body, sustaining life. ![]() This signal travels through the upper heart chambers (atria), passes to the atrioventricular (AV) node, and finally reaches the lower heart chambers (ventricles), prompting the heart’s contraction. The sinoatrial node (SA node), a group of muscle fibers in the upper right atrium of the heart, is where the signal is generated, instructing the heart to beat. The heartbeat, along with the heart function, is controlled by a series of electrical impulses originating from various regions within the heart muscle. An irregular heartbeat, or cardiac arrhythmia, happens when the heart beats at an abnormal rate or follows an abnormal pattern.
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