Heart sounds are the noises made as blood moves through the heart with each heartbeat.
When the heart valves close, they make a distinct lubb-dupp sound.
Healthcare providers listen to the heart’s rhythm and sounds.
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Specific sounds have different meanings, and they assess whether abnormal sounds are present.
S1 and S2 are normal heart sounds.
Other heart sounds, such as S3 and S4, are abnormal.
Heart sound 1(S1) is the normal systolic heart sound.
It is the first heart sound and is the “lubb” sound in lubb-dupp.
The diastolic sound (S2) is the second sound heard during normal heart sounds.
S2 is the “dupp” in lubb-dupp.
These additional sounds are categorized by when they occur, their pitch, and their duration.
During systole, a click may be heard.
Clicks are higher pitched and are shorter in duration than S1 and S2.
S3 (gallop)is an abnormal heart sound.
It is not usually present but may be heard after S2.
It can be considered a normal sound in people under 40.
But in those over 40, it can indicateheart failure.
S4 is heard immediately before S1.
It is not normally present.
It may suggest that the ventricle is stiff.
Heart murmursare extra sounds that can be heard during systole, diastole, or as a continuous sound.
They are graded on a scale of 1 to 6 based on their intensity.
Murmurs can be harmless (known as innocent murmurs).
Ways to Listen
Astethoscopeis used to listen to heart sounds.
It has two earpieces connected by tubing to a chest piece with two sides.
The flat or diaphragm side of the chest piece is usually used to listen to heart sounds.
It is better at catching high-frequency sounds, while the bell is used to listen to low-frequency sounds.
What Is Auscultation?
Auscultation is a medical term for listening to sounds from certain organs, typically while using a stethoscope.
The provider may suggest seeing acardiologist (heart specialist)to evaluate the abnormal sound further.
Often, someone will not know that they have abnormal heart sounds until a healthcare provider tells them.
A healthcare provider will assess the heart sounds.
If they find an abnormality, they may order additional tests.
This gives the healthcare provider a better understanding of what makes those abnormal heart sounds.
Once the cause is found, treatment will be decided upon.
This can range from medication to surgery.
Summary
The heart makes a distinct lubb-dupp sound heard when listening with a stethoscope.
This sound is created by the closing of heart valves.
A healthcare provider will assess a person’s heart sounds; hearing additional sounds may indicate a heart problem.
A heart specialist will further evaluate when this occurs to determine the underlying cause and the necessary treatment.
American Heart Association.Heart valves and circulation.
American Heart Association.Roles of your four heart valves.
StatPearls.Physiology, heart sounds.
American Heart Association.Warning signs of a heart attack.
