Heart Murmur Classification
Posted: Wednesday, December 8th, 2021 | Updated: Wednesday, December 8th, 2021
Posted: Wednesday, December 8th, 2021 | Updated: Wednesday, December 8th, 2021
Grade 1: The murmur is very soft and not obviously heard
Grade 2: The murmur can be auscultated consistently over one area but is overall soft
Grade 3: The murmur tends to be immediately heard upon auscultation and may be auscultated over another area
Grade 4: The murmur is loud, does not have a palpable thrill, and may be auscultated on both sides of the chest
Grade 5: The murmur is loud, radiates, and has a palpable thrill
Grade 6: The murmur is loud, has a palpable thrill, and is heard even by holding the stethoscope just off of the chest wall
*Note: Gallop rhythms usually correlate to heart disease
Grade 2: The murmur can be auscultated consistently over one area but is overall soft
Grade 3: The murmur tends to be immediately heard upon auscultation and may be auscultated over another area
Grade 4: The murmur is loud, does not have a palpable thrill, and may be auscultated on both sides of the chest
Grade 5: The murmur is loud, radiates, and has a palpable thrill
Grade 6: The murmur is loud, has a palpable thrill, and is heard even by holding the stethoscope just off of the chest wall
*Note: Gallop rhythms usually correlate to heart disease
Sources:
Ford, Richard B., and Elisa M. Mazzaferro. Kirk and Bistner's Handbook of Veterinary Procedures and Emergency Treatment. 8th ed., Saunders Elsevier, 2006.
Poli, Gerardo. MiniVet Guide: Companion Animal Medicine. InHouse Publishing, 2016.
Ford, Richard B., and Elisa M. Mazzaferro. Kirk and Bistner's Handbook of Veterinary Procedures and Emergency Treatment. 8th ed., Saunders Elsevier, 2006.
Poli, Gerardo. MiniVet Guide: Companion Animal Medicine. InHouse Publishing, 2016.