Island Life Magazine Ltd October/ November 2012 | Page 101

EQUESTRIAN

H ea rt a u sc ulta tio n

incompetence.
2) Disease of the muscular wall of the heart
called myocardial disease
3) Abnormal narrowing of a heart valve

a few seconds of auscultation, localised to a

to have more information about the cause

limited area.

and severity of the murmur.

Grade 3 An obvious murmur that is audible

An electrocardiogram (ECG) measures the

immediately, but only radiates over a limited

electrical activity of the heart. Small sticky

called stenosis of a valve.

area.

pads containing electrodes are placed on the

How bad is it?

Grade 4 A loud murmur that is audible over

horses’ chest and neck. These are connected

Once a murmur has been detected

a wide area.

to an ECG machine, which picks up the

consideration should be taken into what part

Grade 5 The loudest possible murmur that is

electrical signals the heart makes. This can

of the cardiac cycle it occurs during, how

heard with a stethoscope but cannot be heard

be particularly useful where the heart has an

long it lasts and where on the chest wall it

when the stethoscope is removed from direct

abnormal rhythm. These can be run for short

is loudest. This can help identify the cause

contact with the chest wall. A palpable thrill is

periods of time or in a hospital situation left

of the murmur. In general short musical

felt on the chest wall overlying the murmur.

in place on the horse to provide a 24 hour

murmurs that are only heard in a small area

Grade 6 The loudest possible murmur that

recording.

tend to be of little significance whereas

is still heard when the stethoscope is just

longer, harsher sounds that radiate widely are

removed from direct contact with the chest

waves to build a picture of the heart and

more likely to be significant and associated

wall. A palpable thrill is felt on the chest wall.

using it to assess the structure and how well

with cardiac problems. Murmurs are graded

It can be difficult to be 100% certain if

An echocardiogram involves using sound

it is functioning. This is similar to pregnancy

between 1 and 6:

a murmur is a cause for concern just by

scans. The echocardiogram can give accurate

Grade 1 The softest audible murmur, only

listening. Therefore further techniques such

information about the pumping action of the

heard on careful auscultation (listening with a

as an electrocardiogram or echocardiogram

heart, the speed at which the blood is flowing

stethoscope) and localised to a limited area

are often utilised. This can be particularly

through the heart, what direction the blood is

of the chest.

useful if a murmur is picked up at

flowing and the structure of the heart and the

Grade 2 A faint murmur that is heard after

pre-purchase exam and the purchaser needs

valves.

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