What is Rapid Heart Rate?
The heart of a cat is composed of four chambers; the right and left atria make up the top two chambers of the heart, while the right and left ventricles make up the bottom portion of the heart. In order to circulate the blood to each chamber and to the body, the heart has an assortment of valves that temporarily open to allow blood to pass through. The tricuspid valve is located between the right atrium and the right ventricle. The mitral valve is located between the left atrium and the left ventricle. The pulmonary valve is located between the right ventricle and the main pulmonary artery. Finally, the aortic valve is located between the left ventricle to the main artery of the body, the aorta.
These valves separate oxygenated blood from un-oxygenated blood and complete the blood exchange through the body, but in order for the blood to move, the heart muscle needs to contract. The sinoatrial node is the electric impulse that triggers the heart to pump blood through each of the heart’s valves and chambers. The sinoatrial node or pacemaker, is what we feel as the cat’s heartbeat and can measure the number of times the electric impulse triggers the heart to pump over a minute’s time, giving us the feline’s general heart rate. The average heart rate for a feline is roughly 140-220 bpm (beats per minute), depending on the size of the cat, but complications with a feline’s sinoatrial node can make the heart beat over 240 bpm. A rapid heart rate in cats is a heart rate greater than 220 bpm and is known as tachycardia.
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Symptoms of Rapid Heart Rate in Cats
A cat with a rapid heart rate may have little to no present symptoms, as a rapid heart rate is a symptom in itself and not the definition of a disease. Congestive heart failure is the common cause of a rapid heart rate in cats, therefore, a feline may present disease-related symptoms, such as:
- Cyanosis (blue discoloration of the mucous membranes)
- Dyspnea (difficulty breathing)
- Cough
Additional symptoms a cat may display with a rapid heart rate may include:
- Heart murmur
- Weak pulse
- Tachycardia (rapid heart rate)
- Sudden death
- Exercise intolerance
- Overall weakness
- Syncope (fainting)
Causes of Rapid Heart Rate in Cats
There are a number of physiological and pathologic reasons a feline could develop a rapid heart rate. A cat could experience a temporarily elevated heart rate due to fear, excitement, rage, restraint, and exercise, but a prolonged rapid heart rate could be caused by a serious health condition including:
- Pancreatitis
- Cancer
- Heart tumor
- Digitalis toxicity (heart medication poisoning)
- Myocarditis
- Gastric dilation
- Chronic heart-valve disease
- Cardiomyopathy
- Congenital heart defect
- Anemia (low red blood cell count)
- Shock
- Thromboembolic disease
- Hypovolemia
- Hypothyroidism
- Metabolic disease
- Pain
- Fever
- Stress
Diagnosis of Rapid Heart Rate in Cats
Diagnosis of a rapid heart rate in a cat can be completed simply through listening to the heart with a stethoscope, but to pinpoint the underlying cause for a cat’s heart to pump faster than it needs to, a thorough veterinary examination will be required. The veterinarian will need to take a look at your cat’s medical records, current medications, and past medical problems, as past complications could be linked the feline’s current health problem. Blood work is likely to be done in order to detect any abnormalities within the blood itself or the function of the body’s organs.
ECG
An ECG or electrocardiogram is a non-invasive test that uses sensory attachments to detect the electric impulses produced by the heart. An ECG can determine the feline’s electrical activity and heart rhythm.
Auscultation
Auscultation is the listening of heart sounds through the use of a stethoscope. This examination tool can help the veterinarian detect a heart murmur and arrhythmias (irregular heart beat).
Radiography (x-ray)
A thoracic radiograph, or x-ray of the chest, can provide valuable information to assess a feline with a rapid heart rate. The veterinarian will be able to detect an enlarged portion of the heart, indicating one of the values is not working properly as blood is pooling into one heart chamber. Tumors that have grown within the heart tissues can also be detected on an x-ray and aid the doctor in proper treatment.
Treatment of Rapid Heart Rate in Cats
The treatment of a rapid heart rate in cats depends on the overall condition causing the heart to pump faster than it needs to. If the feline is unstable, he or she will need to be hospitalized until the cat is once again stable and the proper medications can be given. There is no treatment for a rapid heart rate in cats by itself.
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Recovery of Rapid Heart Rate in Cats
If the overall cause of the cat’s rapid heart rate is determined to be a metabolic condition, the prognosis is generally good. However, heart disease, cancer, and congenital problems could worsen over time, increasing the chance for sudden death. The veterinarian will likely have your feline complete routine veterinary check-ups to monitor any changes in their condition.
Rapid Heart Rate Average Cost
From 515 quotes ranging from $200 - $2,000
Average Cost
$800
Top
Rapid Heart Rate Questions and Advice from Veterinary Professionals
Tabby short hair
Bandit
3 Years
1 found this helpful
1 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Chest Moving Faster Than Normalm
Hi my cat bandit got fix earlier in the month and about a week later to 11 days notice his chest moving faster than normal. I took him to the vets, she listen to his heart and told me maybe hypersonic. Took cray and she was worried because she couldn't see his heart outline. Maybe possible fluid. Gave me Salix for 7 days to hopefully to help the situation. Still the same. He is active, breathing normal thru nose but chest is still moving fast. Healthy otherwise.
July 29, 2018
1 Recommendations
If there has been no improvement in Bandit’s condition you should return to your Veterinarian for follow up examination and I would suggest an echocardiogram if there is no heart outline on an x-ray. Without examining Bandit myself I cannot determine an underlying cause or a course of management. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
July 30, 2018
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N/a
Biscuit
15 Years
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Breathing Difficulty
Loss Of Balance
Loss Of Appetite
Heavy Breathing
Loss Of Consciousness
My cat is 15 years old and a few years back was diagnosed with an overactive thyroid. She has always been quite skinny but is seeming a lot more bony these days. Just recently my cat seems to be showing signs of breathing difficulties such as heavy breathing, breathing with her mouth open and her chest moving back and forth when breathing. She is sleeping a lot and has also experienced epsiosdes where she loses all balance and seems very disoriented for a short time plus her head seems to shake. After taking her to the vets today I have been told there is nothing they can do as her heart muscles have grown inwards due to her overactive thyroid and she can barely breath without struggle when doing simple things such as walking. Ultimate they wanted to put her down but I have brought her home as I couldn’t make the decision as such haste. They only examined her breifly and checked her heart rate. I am obviously devastated so I’d like to make sure there is nothing else that can be done to help her even just have another year. Thank you
June 4, 2018
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
0 Recommendations
Hyperthyroid disease is a progressive disease, and will affect the heart eventually. Without seeing Biscuit, I can't examine her or comment on her health, but your veterinarian has her best interest at heart, and not being able to breathe is not a good existence.
June 5, 2018
With all due respect - "Biscuit" Owner - isn't the QUALITY of life for our beloved pets the GOAL/DESIRE here? Putting Biscuit to "kitty heaven sleep" SHOULD be DONE.
Aug. 3, 2018
Linda D. K.
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Unknown
Jacksin
2 Years
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Coughing
My cat has been coughing a lot, almost like he is trying to cough up a hairball. We took him to the vet today and they said it might be takycardia. I am so scared for my baby, what are the chabces that he will be okay?
June 1, 2018
0 Recommendations
Tachycardia (increased heart rate) is a symptom and not a diagnosis as such since there are many different causes for the heart rate to be increased; it is important to determine why the heart is beating fast which may be due to many different causes (electrical disturbances, infections, anaemia, fluid in the lungs just to name a few). A thorough examination which may include echocardiography (to check heart size, structure and function) would be useful in helping to narrow down a specific cause. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
June 2, 2018
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Tuxedo
Paisley
1 Year
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
High Sodium, Seizures
My cat had a rapid heart rate and was jumping up walls and running furiously into walls. Vet said she was constipated and may have eaten something bad. She ended up dying with no real diagnosis and it's driving me crazy.
Feb. 5, 2018
0 Recommendations
When a loved one passes, it is normal to ask questions but it is not possible for me to say what the cause of death was without performing a necropsy; high sodium levels may be related but again I cannot comment, I wish I could offer some closure. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
Feb. 5, 2018
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Rapid Heart Rate Average Cost
From 515 quotes ranging from $200 - $2,000
Average Cost
$800
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