S3 Heart Sound
Introduction
The S3 heart sound, is heard just after S2. The sound you hear is produced by blood making contact with a very compliant left ventricle. A S3 can be a normal finding:
- Young adults and children
- Pregnant females
- Athletes
The S3 heart sound in older individuals can be a sign of systolic heart failure. In this case, the heart is overly compliant or stiff leading to the S3 heart sound. Other abnormal reasons to have an S3:
- Heart Failure
- Severe mitral or Tricuspid Regurgitation
- Cardiomyopathy
Location
As depicted in Figure 2, the S3 heart sounds is best heard
- With the patient in the left lateral decubitus position
- Bell of the stethescope
- At the cardiac apex
Sound
The S3 has a low pitch. This is distinguishable from the S2 heart sound which is high pitched.
The 24 sound is often described as having the cadence of the word "KENTUCKY".
You can hear the S3 heart sound here.
About the Author
Figure 1
Figure 2
