subject: Do cats suffer heart attacks? [print this page] Yes, cats do suffer from heart attacks albeit in a different way. Like in the case of humans, cats do show some initial signs of developing heart attacks. But as pet owners and someone who likes cats immensely, you need to understand that cats do not experience this set back just the way we do. In fact, there is a slight difference in the true heart attack humans undergo to heart attacks undergone by cats. If you are clever enough to notice these differences then you can save your pet well in time.
Humans generally experience myocardial infraction while undergoing heart attacks. These conditions arise largely due to the accumulation of fat contents in the valves of heart. Leading an unhealthy lifestyle is a perfect recipe for these situations to occur. However in cats the real heart attack happens in a slightly different way and has been a matter of debate amongst many medical professionals even to this day. The myocardium that we touched upon a while earlier is basically a tissue in the heart that receives oxygen and nutrients from other arteries. This process can also be associated with the cats. However, in the cats, arteries are replaced by blood vessels.
As and when the fats gets hardened in the coronary arteries it starts getting blocked. Accordingly, the blood stops flowing into the myocardium and thus resulting in a situation that is technically called as Infraction. This is followed by stopping of muscles from functioning properly. Depending upon the Infract's size the heart attack is generally measured. If there is partial blockage it will lead to chest pains and in case of complete blockage, death is imminent. It is here the differences can be seen in heart attack cases between humans and cats.
Cats, no doubt, possess fats like we do. But they are accumulated in a different way. Probably, this is one of the reasons why you need to be extra careful while you intend to give table scraps to them. It is interesting to observe that cats while being on diet and having lots of fats in them are largely resistant to coronary diseases. However, this is still a matter that is being debated world wide. A condition often referred to as cardiomypathy can however affect your cat largely. True heart attacks are far less seen in cats. But, collapsing all of a sudden while accompanied with seizures is not entirely ruled out. This often leads to death in cats.
The main warning signs in cats with regards to heart attacks are: Seizures and fainting, slow heart rate, and heart rate being rapid. If you are able to feel any of these warning signs in your cats then visit a nearby veterinarian at the earliest. They will be able to diagnose the problem without much difficulty. By taking images from different angles of your cat, they will be able to identify exact position where the blockages have taken place and then give the treatment accordingly. All in all, you need to understand the fact that even cats can have heart attacks and it is you who can save them from this condition.
