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A heart murmur is an extra whooshing sound that can be heard between or instead of the normal ‘lub-dub’ sounds the heart makes. It happens when blood flow becomes turbulent rather than smooth, a bit like the sound of a waterfall.
Vets often grade murmurs from I–VI based on how loud they sound, but louder doesn’t always mean more serious.
Heart murmurs can be caused by changes to the heart itself or by conditions that affect how smoothly the blood flows. Common causes include heart disease, such as thickening of the heart muscle (hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, HCM) or leaky heart valves.
Less commonly, murmurs can be due to developmental issues, such as a blood vessel or hole in the heart that did not close properly as a kitten.
Not all murmurs come from heart disease. Conditions such as anaemia, high blood pressure or heartworm can disrupt blood flow, creating turbulence and a murmur even though the heart itself is normal.
Heart murmurs are relatively common. Around 30% of cats have or will develop one at some point in their lives. While any cat can be affected, certain breeds are more prone to heart conditions that can cause murmurs, including Maine Coons, Persians, American Shorthairs, British Shorthairs and Siamese cats.
It’s natural to assume that a louder murmur means a more serious problem, but this isn’t always true. Loudness reflects how much the blood is churning and mixing, not how well the heart is functioning.
Although loudness doesn’t indicate what’s causing a murmur or how serious it is, it is a simple way to describe and monitor it over time. As you may see different vets, a universal grading system helps ensure everyone is describing the murmur in the same way:
Once a diagnosis has been made, changes in murmur grade can sometimes reflect progression of the underlying condition. However, this isn’t always reliable, which is why monitoring usually involves scans and other tests as well.
Yes. A good example is hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), a condition that causes the heart muscle to become thickened and stiff. Even with significant changes to the heart, this condition may only produce a quiet murmur. This is why further investigation is often recommended, even if a murmur sounds mild.
Also yes. Some kittens and young cats have louder ‘innocent’ murmurs that are not linked to heart disease and may disappear as they grow.
Some cats won’t show any signs of a heart murmur because a heart murmur itself doesn’t cause symptoms. Problems arise when the underlying cause – whether that’s heart disease or another condition affecting circulation – begins to interfere with how the heart works.
In more serious cases, this can lead to heart failure, where the heart can’t pump blood effectively around the body. Signs that heart function or circulation are being affected may include:
Whether your cat has a known murmur or not, these symptoms should always be checked by a vet as soon as possible.
A heart murmur is first picked up by listening to the heart with a stethoscope. To find out what’s causing it and whether treatment is needed, further tests are often recommended, including:
Treatment depends entirely on the underlying cause of the murmur. Some cats do not need any treatment at all. Others may require lifelong medication to support heart function, manage fluid build-up or control blood pressure.
If an underlying condition, such as hyperthyroidism or anaemia, is present, treating that condition may resolve the murmur.
The outlook for a cat with a heart murmur varies widely and depends on the underlying cause. Some cats will live normal, healthy lives without ever developing symptoms or needing treatment.
For those with progressive conditions, stress on the heart can lead to heart failure or life-threatening complications, such as blood clots. When symptoms begin to significantly affect quality of life, euthanasia may sadly become the kindest option.
“Finding out your cat has a heart murmur can send your heart into a flutter. It’s completely natural to want clear answers straight away, and I know what a stressful time this can be for owners. But properly assessing a murmur often means scanning the heart and taking precise measurements of how it’s functioning, which is usually done by a specialist. So bear with your vet here if it involves a bit of travel or a short wait for an appointment.
“It can feel like a lot to go through, especially if you’re ultimately told there’s nothing to worry about. But that reassurance is based on detailed measurements, not just how loud the murmur sounds or a gut feeling. And that’s important.
“For more serious causes of heart murmurs, picking up changes early can make a real difference to how well we can manage the condition.”
Dr Nicole Olewinski – BVSc MRCVS
If you’re considering a Petgevity Lifetime Plus policy, we’ll consider all conditions when offering cover for your cat*.
When you apply for cat insurance, just let us know:
Find out more about Petgevity’s cat insurance for pre-existing conditions.
Choosing Petgevity to protect your pets gives you more than just vet fee cover. Here's what you get from our policy.
Dental accident
Covers your pet up to the chosen vet fee limit if they have a dental accident or injury. Always be sure to take your pet for annual dental check-ups, and follow your vet’s advice.
Behavioural treatment
Get expert help with your pet’s mental and emotional wellbeing, as advised by your vet. Cover up to your chosen vet fee amount or the cost of up to 12 sessions, whichever is lower (Lifetime Plus); or up to £1,000 (Lifetime).
Complementary therapy
As advised by your vet, this covers alternative treatments like acupuncture or hydrotherapy. Cover up to your chosen vet fee amount (Lifetime Plus); or up to chosen vet fee amount or £1,500, whichever is lower (Lifetime).
Emergency care
If you can’t look after your pet due to an emergency, such as an unplanned hospital visit, this covers you for up to £1,500 (Lifetime Plus) in minding costs.
Third-party liability for dogs
Covers you for legal costs if your dog causes injury to somebody or their pet, or causes loss or damage to someone’s property. Protects you for up to £2 million in a legal action.
Choice of optional extras
Need extra protection? Choose from several optional extras to cover your pet’s needs, including dental illness, or cover if your pet is stolen or lost.
Defaqto 5 star rating when you choose vet fees over £4,000 with all optional add-ons included.
Basic cover alone has 3 star rating
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Awarded Best Pet Insurance Provider at The Money Mentor Awards 2024
†For Lifetime Plus policies only – details correct as of 10 September 2024 via competitor websites. Competitor products are subject to their own T&Cs and can have different limits and requirements for cats versus dogs at different ages. For full details, please check the relevant policy wording. For full details of Petgevity pet insurance, please read our policy wording.
A heart murmur means there’s a change to the way the blood flows through the heart. Instead of flowing smoothly, turbulence creates an extra sound that can be heard with a stethoscope.
Yes. Some murmurs, particularly in kittens or young cats, are considered ‘innocent’ and are not linked to heart disease. These may disappear over time and never cause problems.
A heart murmur is detected by listening to the heart with a stethoscope. Determining the cause takes a bit more investigation, most commonly an ultrasound scan of the heart.
This depends on the cause of the heart murmur. If your cat is experiencing symptoms linked to the cause of the heart murmur, then the answer is probably yes.
Some murmurs do become more noticeable over time, particularly if linked to progressive heart disease. However, changes in loudness don’t always reflect how the condition is progressing.
†Lifetime Plus policies only
*Cover for pre-existing medical conditions is subject to acceptance. They will not be covered unless you have declared them and they are shown on your Confirmation of Cover.
**Illnesses and symptoms won’t be covered in the first 14 days and accidents won’t be covered in the first 2 days of the policy. This is unless you are switching from another lifetime pet insurance product with no break in cover and the claim you want to make would have been covered by your previous policy. Other exclusions may apply to other sections.