Third Heart Sound Gallop Lesson #677

patient thorax when auscultating by stethoscope

patient position during auscultation
The patient was supine during auscultation.

Description

The third heart sound (S3) is a low-frequency sound best heard with the stethoscope bell, pressed lightly on the skin. A third heart sound occurs early in diastole. In the presence of S3, the first heart sound has diminished loudness. The second heart sound becomes louder.

Sudden deceleration of blood flow into the left ventricle from the left atrium causes the third heart sound. Observe the dilated, thin-walled left ventricle with generalized decreased contraction vigor in the cardiac animation video.

In young people and athletes, it is a normal phenomenon. In older people, S3 indicates congestive heart failure.

Phonocardiogram

Anatomy

Third Heart Sound Gallop


Authors and Sources

Authors and Reviewers

Sources


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