Heart rate variability of rats is investigated using concepts from the nonlinear dynamical system theory. Among the important techniques offered, symbolic dynamics is very appealing by its power to investigate patterns which can be repeated in a time series. The present analysis was performed in six control rats and six chronic cardiac insufficient rats (myocardial infarction due to left descendent coronary artery ligation). Rats are left in clean atmosphere or exposed to atmosphere containing diluted engine emission pollutants. The evolution of the heart rate variability is then investigated with a three element symbolic dynamics which allows to distinguish extrasystoles from tachycardia or bradycardia using the symbol sequences. © 2004 American Institute of Physics