Saluki Health

Glossary of Heart Terms

Myocardium: the smooth muscle that makes up the heart.

Atrium: one of two upper chambers of the heart.

Ventricle: one of two lower chambers of the heart.

Arrhythmia: an interruption in the heart’s normal rhythm.

Premature ventricular contraction: an arrhythmia that causes the ventricle to contract too early in the heart’s normal rhythmic pattern, causing an extra beat that does not produce a pulse — often called a PVC.

Syncope: collapse or fainting.

Echocardiogram: a test that provides an ultrasound recording of the heart’s activity.

Electrocardiogram: a test that provides an electrical recording of the heart’s activity — often called an ECG.

Holter monitor: a device that measures the dog’s heart activity electrically over a 24-hour period — also known as a 24-hour ambulatory electrocardiogram.