Third Heart Sound (S3) Gallop Auscultation Lesson with Recordings
Virtual Auscultation
The patient's position is supine.
Lesson
Third heart sound occurs early in diastole. In older patients it indicates the presence of congestive heart failure. It is normal in young people and athletes. The sudden deceleration of blood flow into the left ventricle from the left atrium produces the third heart sound. Our animation of the third heart sound depicts a thin-walled, dilated left ventricle with generalized decreased vigor of contraction. Use the 'Visual' tab above to view this video. When a third heart sound (S3) is present, the first heart sound is diminished and the second heart sound is increased in intensity. The third heart sound is a low frequency sound. Use the stethoscope's bell, pressing lightly on the patient's skin, to best hear this sound.Waveform
Heart Sounds Video
Authors and Sources
Authors and Reviewers
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Heart sounds by Dr. Jonathan Keroes, MD and David Lieberman, Developer, Virtual Cardiac Patient.
- Lung sounds by Diane Wrigley, PA
- Respiratory cases: William French
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David Lieberman, Audio Engineering
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Heart sounds mentorship by W. Proctor Harvey, MD
- Special thanks for the medical mentorship of Dr. Raymond Murphy
- Reviewed by Dr. Barbara Erickson, PhD, RN, CCRN.
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Last Update: 12/11/2022
Sources
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Heart and Lung Sounds Reference Library
Diane S. Wrigley
Publisher: PESI -
Impact Patient Care: Key Physical Assessment Strategies and the Underlying Pathophysiology
Diane S Wrigley & Rosale Lobo - Practical Clinical Skills: Lung Sounds
- Essential Lung Sounds
Diane S. Wrigley, PA-C
Published by MedEdu LLC - PESI Faculty - Diane S Wrigley
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Case Profiles in Respiratory Care 3rd Ed, 2019
William A.French
Published by Delmar Cengage - Essential Lung Sounds
by William A. French
Published by Cengage Learning, 2011 - Understanding Lung Sounds
Steven Lehrer, MD
- Clinical Heart Disease
W Proctor Harvey, MD
Clinical Heart Disease
Laennec Publishing; 1st edition (January 1, 2009)
