Third heart sound

From WikiMD's WELLNESSPEDIA

Diagram of the human heart (cropped)
Third heart sound



Synonyms S3


Specialty Cardiology








Diagnosis Auscultation









The third heart sound (S3) is a low-frequency sound that occurs early in diastole during the rapid filling phase of the ventricles. It is often associated with increased volume of blood within the ventricle and can be a normal finding in children and young adults. However, in older adults, it may indicate the presence of heart failure or other cardiac conditions.

Physiology[edit]

The third heart sound is produced by the rapid deceleration of blood flow into the left ventricle from the left atrium. This sound is best heard with the bell of the stethoscope at the apex of the heart with the patient in the left lateral decubitus position. It is often described as a "dull" or "thudding" sound.

Clinical Significance[edit]

In young individuals, an S3 can be a normal variant and is often referred to as a "physiological S3." In older adults, an S3 is more likely to be pathological and may indicate conditions such as:

Diagnosis[edit]

The presence of an S3 can be detected through auscultation during a physical examination. It is important to differentiate an S3 from other heart sounds, such as the fourth heart sound (S4), which occurs just before the first heart sound (S1) and is associated with a stiff or hypertrophic ventricle.

Management[edit]

The management of a patient with an S3 depends on the underlying cause. If the S3 is due to heart failure, treatment may include:

Related Pages[edit]

See Also[edit]


Cardiovascular disease A-Z

Most common cardiac diseases

A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z

A[edit]

B[edit]

C[edit]

D[edit]

E[edit]

H[edit]

A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z

I[edit]

K[edit]

L[edit]

M[edit]

N[edit]

O[edit]

P[edit]

R[edit]

S[edit]

A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z

T[edit]

V[edit]

W[edit]

Stub icon

This medical article is a stub. You can help WikiMD by expanding the page.

Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Content may be inaccurate or outdated and should not be used for diagnosis or treatment. Always consult your healthcare provider for medical decisions. Verify information with trusted sources such as CDC.gov and NIH.gov. By using this site, you agree that WikiMD is not liable for any outcomes related to its content. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates, categories Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.

Retrieved from "https://wikimd.org/index.php?title=Third_heart_sound&oldid=5834026"