Heart Sound on S3: Explanation, Remedies, and Additional Information
The S3 heart sound, often referred to as a "ventricular gallop," is an additional sound that people may hear besides the typical "lub-dub" sounds (S1 and S2). This third sound is often indicative of increased filling pressures or decreased ventricular compliance, and it can provide valuable insights in the diagnosis of heart disease.
The S3 heart sound occurs after the S2 sound, as a low-frequency, short vibration. It happens when blood rushes rapidly from the heart's atrium into the ventricle during early diastole. This can occur in the left or right ventricle, and common causes include heart failure, valve regurgitation, cardiomyopathy, and ischemic heart disease.
While an S3 may be physiological in young individuals or pregnant women (especially left-sided), a right-sided S3 is generally pathological. This sound is often heard in conditions where the ventricle is dilated or failing, such as left ventricular failure in heart failure or dilated cardiomyopathy. Valve regurgitation, in which blood flows backward through a valve (commonly mitral or tricuspid), can also lead to volume overload and an S3. Ischemic heart disease may impair ventricular relaxation, contributing to the abnormal filling that generates S3.
The S3 heart sound can indicate a diastolic murmur, which may suggest valve issues within the heart, such as severe tricuspid or mitral valve regurgitation. The exact mechanisms for creating S3 heart sounds are not fully understood, but recent research suggests that the diameter of the mitral valve annulus plays a significant role.
It's important to note that while some healthy people can have S3 heart sounds, their presence may still indicate potential heart problems, such as systolic heart failure. Doctors may find it challenging to detect the S3 sound as it can be subtle.
Treatment for conditions causing S3 heart sounds cannot undo damage to the heart, but it can help ease symptoms and improve quality of life. Treatment options may include maintaining a moderate weight, eating a balanced diet, increasing physical activity, quitting smoking, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, beta-blockers, coronary artery bypass, heart transplant, valve replacement, implantable cardioverter defibrillators, and cardiac resynchronization therapy devices.
Conditions such as uncontrolled high blood pressure, a sedentary lifestyle, high levels of blood fat, smoking, and diabetes can lead to congestive heart failure, a condition where the heart is unable to pump blood efficiently, causing fluid to accumulate in the body. Treatment options for congestive heart failure include lifestyle changes, medications, surgery, and devices.
For those interested in learning more about common heart valve disorders, you can find detailed information here.
[1] Cardiology: Diagnosis, Imaging, and Therapeutics. 2020. Elsevier. [3] Braunwald E, Fauci A, Kasper D, Hauser S, Longo D, Jameson J, Loscalzo J. Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine. 20th ed. New York: McGraw-Hill Education; 2018.
- The S3 heart sound, a low-frequency, short vibration after the S2 sound, can be indicative of various heart diseases such as heart failure, valve regurgitation, cardiomyopathy, and ischemic heart disease.
- Mental health and fitness-and-exercise are crucial components of health-and-wellness, as they can contribute to the prevention and management of chronic-diseases like heart failure, other heart disease, and cardiovascular-health issues.
- Professional resources like Cardiology: Diagnosis, Imaging, and Therapeutics (2020) provide valuable information about common heart valve disorders and their treatment.
- Neglecting factors such as uncontrolled high blood pressure, a sedentary lifestyle, high levels of blood fat, smoking, and diabetes can lead to congestive heart failure, a condition requiring treatment that may include lifestyle changes, medications, surgery, and devices.
