Third Heart Sound Lesson #635

patient thorax when auscultating by stethoscope

patient position during auscultation
The patient was supine during auscultation.

Description

A third heart sound (S3) occurs early in diastole, just after the second heart sound. S3 is a low-frequency sound best heard using the bell of the stethoscope pressed lightly on the skin of the chest. Position the chestpiece at the left lateral sternal border (LLSB) or xiphoid area.

Sudden deceleration of blood flow into the left ventricle from the left atrium causes the third heart sound. In the anatomy video, observe the thin-walled, dilated left ventricle with generalized decreased vigor of contraction.

In the presence of a third heart sound (S3), the first heart sound decreases in intensity while the second heart sound increases in intensity

In young people and athletes, it is a normal phenomenon. In older individuals, it indicates the presence of heart disease.

Phonocardiogram

Anatomy

Third Heart Sound


Authors and Sources

Authors and Reviewers

Sources





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