Respiratory arrhythmia in the hearts of harbour porpoises (Phocoena phocoena)

Abstract

The heart rates of 3 Harbour porpoises (recorded for 26 days) showed individual variation. Electrocardiograms of two of these animals, made while they were on land, showed respiratory arrhythmia. The heart rate dropped when the animals were returned to the water, but the arrhythmia remained.