CLINICAL PEARL: A S3 heart sound is often a sign of systolic heart failure, however it may sometimes be a normal finding. A S3 can be an important sign of systolic heart failure because, in this setting, the myocardium is usually overly compliant, resulting in a dilated LV; this can be seen in the image below.

What does an S3 heart sound like?

What is an S3 Heart Sound? The third heart sound is a short, low frequency sound heard best with the stethoscope’s bell. It occurs early in diastole and is dull in quality. As an extra heart sound, it creates a galloping rhythm with a cadence like word ‘Kentucky’.

When do you hear S3 heart sound?

The third heart sound (S3), also known as the “ventricular gallop,” occurs just after S2 when the mitral valve opens, allowing passive filling of the left ventricle. The S3 sound is actually produced by the large amount of blood striking a very compliant left ventricle.