diff --git a/ironic_python_agent/errors.py b/ironic_python_agent/errors.py
index 99bbe2b81..bf0253dd8 100644
--- a/ironic_python_agent/errors.py
+++ b/ironic_python_agent/errors.py
@@ -348,3 +348,13 @@ class ClockSyncError(RESTError):
     """Error raised when attempting to sync the system clock."""
 
     message = 'Error syncing system clock'
+
+
+class HeartbeatConnectionError(IronicAPIError):
+    """Transitory connection failure occured attempting to contact the API."""
+
+    message = ("Error attempting to heartbeat - Possible transitory network "
+               "failure or blocking port may be present.")
+
+    def __init__(self, details):
+        super(HeartbeatConnectionError, self).__init__(details)
diff --git a/ironic_python_agent/ironic_api_client.py b/ironic_python_agent/ironic_api_client.py
index 747b133d2..4738f22d1 100644
--- a/ironic_python_agent/ironic_api_client.py
+++ b/ironic_python_agent/ironic_api_client.py
@@ -125,6 +125,8 @@ class APIClient(object):
 
         try:
             response = self._request('POST', path, data=data, headers=headers)
+        except requests.exceptions.ConnectionError as e:
+            raise errors.HeartbeatConnectionError(str(e))
         except Exception as e:
             raise errors.HeartbeatError(str(e))
 
diff --git a/ironic_python_agent/tests/unit/test_ironic_api_client.py b/ironic_python_agent/tests/unit/test_ironic_api_client.py
index 562f06be2..bd710e77f 100644
--- a/ironic_python_agent/tests/unit/test_ironic_api_client.py
+++ b/ironic_python_agent/tests/unit/test_ironic_api_client.py
@@ -234,6 +234,16 @@ class TestBaseIronicPythonAgent(base.IronicAgentTest):
                           uuid='deadbeef-dabb-ad00-b105-f00d00bab10c',
                           advertise_address=('192.0.2.1', '9999'))
 
+    def test_heartbeat_requests_connection_error(self):
+        self.api_client.session.request = mock.Mock()
+        self.api_client.session.request.side_effect = \
+            requests.exceptions.ConnectionError
+        self.assertRaisesRegex(errors.HeartbeatConnectionError,
+                               'transitory network failure or blocking port',
+                               self.api_client.heartbeat,
+                               uuid='meow',
+                               advertise_address=('192.0.2.1', '9999'))
+
     @mock.patch('eventlet.greenthread.sleep', autospec=True)
     @mock.patch('ironic_python_agent.ironic_api_client.APIClient._do_lookup',
                 autospec=True)
diff --git a/releasenotes/notes/clarify-heartbeat-connection-errors-2af152bf2d7928e2.yaml b/releasenotes/notes/clarify-heartbeat-connection-errors-2af152bf2d7928e2.yaml
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..dace1cd50
--- /dev/null
+++ b/releasenotes/notes/clarify-heartbeat-connection-errors-2af152bf2d7928e2.yaml
@@ -0,0 +1,10 @@
+---
+other:
+  - |
+    Adds an explicit capture of connectivity failures in the heartbeat
+    process to provide a more verbose error message in line with what is
+    occuring as opposed to just indicating that an error occured. This
+    new exception is called ``HeartbeatConnectionError`` and is likely only
+    going to be visible if there is a local connectivity failure such as a
+    router failure, switchport in a blocking state, or connection centered
+    transient failure.