Heart Murmurs in Cats and Dogs, Next Steps:

Why Echocardiograms, Chest Radiographs, and Blood Pressure Monitoring Are Essential When a Heart Murmur is Detected in Your Pet

A heart murmur discovered during a veterinary exam can be a scary thing to hear as a pet owner. Heart murmurs can indicate underlying heart disease, and prompt further diagnostic testing is crucial for understanding its cause and determining an appropriate treatment plan.

Among the essential diagnostic tools are echocardiograms, chest radiographs, and blood pressure monitoring, all of which play an important role in assessing your pet's heart health.

1. Echocardiograms: The Ultrasound of the Heart

An echocardiogram is a non-invasive test that uses ultrasound waves to create real-time images of the heart. It is one of the most effective ways to assess the function and structure of your pet's heart and is often recommended after a murmur is detected.

Feline patient undergoing an echocardiogram

Here’s why it’s important:

• Diagnosing Heart Disease: Heart murmurs can be caused by a variety of factors, such as heart valve disease, heart enlargement, or congenital defects. An echocardiogram helps pinpoint the exact cause by allowing the veterinarian to observe the heart’s structure, function, and the movement of blood through the heart and blood vessels.

• Assessing Heart Valve Function: In many cases, heart murmurs are related to faulty heart valves. An echocardiogram enables the veterinarian to assess how well the valves are functioning, whether there’s any leakage (regurgitation), or narrowing (stenosis), and how severely this affects heart function.

• Monitoring the Severity of Disease: If heart disease is detected, the echocardiogram provides valuable information on its severity, which is crucial for creating a treatment plan. It allows the veterinarian to track any changes in your pet's condition over time.

2. Chest Radiographs (X-rays): A Clear View of the Heart and Lungs

Chest radiographs, or X-rays, are another essential diagnostic tool when a murmur is found. These give a more global view of the heart and lungs, but are less specific in diagnosing specific underlying heart conditions. They are, however, the preferred method to diagnosing congestive heart failure in late stage heart disease. 

• Identifying Heart Enlargement: One of the key signs that something might be wrong with your pet's heart is its enlargement. X-rays can detect if the heart is abnormally large, which could indicate heart failure or fluid buildup in the heart. Enlargement of the heart's chambers can be seen on radiographs, guiding further diagnosis.

• Checking for Fluid Buildup: In advanced heart disease, fluid can accumulate in the lungs or around the heart. This condition, known as pulmonary edema or pleural effusion, is dangerous and requires prompt treatment. Chest X-rays help detect any fluid buildup that might not yet be obvious through other means.

• Assessing Lung Health: Chest radiographs also allow veterinarians to examine the lungs for any abnormalities that could be affecting heart function. For example, a murmur might coincide with respiratory issues, and X-rays help differentiate between heart-related causes and lung disease.

3. Blood Pressure Monitoring: Understanding Circulatory Health

Just like humans, pets rely on proper blood circulation to keep all organs and tissues functioning well. When heart murmurs are detected, blood pressure monitoring becomes an essential part of evaluating circulatory health.

Monitoring blood pressure on a canine patient

Here's why:

• Detecting Hypertension: High blood pressure, or hypertension, is a common issue in pets with heart disease. It can exacerbate heart conditions by putting extra strain on the heart, leading to worsening symptoms. Monitoring blood pressure helps determine if hypertension is present and how it might be contributing to the murmur.

• Assessing Heart Function: Blood pressure measurements give veterinarians an additional tool to assess how well the heart is pumping blood throughout the body. Low blood pressure could suggest heart failure, while high blood pressure could indicate issues like kidney disease or thyroid problems, which might also contribute to a murmur.

• Guiding Treatment Decisions: Regular blood pressure monitoring is an excellent way to evaluate the effectiveness of treatment. For example, if your pet is put on medication to control high blood pressure or manage heart failure, monitoring blood pressure ensures that the treatment plan is working as expected as sometimes dose adjustments need to be made.

Conclusion: Taking a Comprehensive Approach

When a heart murmur is detected in your pet, it’s important to remember that it’s just a symptom — not a diagnosis. The murmur itself may or may not be linked to a serious condition, but further diagnostic tests, including echocardiograms, chest radiographs, and blood pressure monitoring, are essential in understanding the full picture of your pet's heart health. By thoroughly evaluating the heart, lungs, and circulatory system, these tests help veterinarians create a targeted and effective treatment plan, which can improve your pet's quality of life and prevent more severe health complications down the road.

If your pet has been diagnosed with a heart murmur, it’s important to work closely with your veterinarian to ensure timely and appropriate testing. Early detection and intervention are key to managing heart disease and ensuring your pet lives a long, happy life.

At Alicia Pet Care Center, we have 10 veterinarians who can work with you, as well as a traveling cardiologists who regularly sees patients at our hospital. Book an appointment with our team today!