Heart murmurs, are they hereditary?

[JS65]

Just wondering if anyone knows?
Thanks

 

[miss_bird]

not as far as i know, as i have a mare with a heart murmur and due to her breeding the vet advised i put her in foal as her heart is not capable of competing any more but ok to cope with foaling.

 

[Alexart]

Some types of heart murmurs are, so unless you actually found out what a particular horse had I wouldn't breed just incase, but if its not one of the hereditary types then as long as it is not a serious one that couldn't take the extra stress of carrying a foal then breeding shouldn't be a problem.

 

[Birker2020]

There are lots of different types of murmurs or arrythmias in the horse, some are called first, second or third degree heart blocks (first two not serious), tachycardia and atrial fibrillation. I think some are inherited and some aren't. I'm not an expert but my horse has second degree heart block which fortunately is of no consequence. Most heart murmurs are really uncommon. THe ones that are common aren't serious luckily!