What is S4 in heart sounds?

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Multiple Choice

What is S4 in heart sounds?

Explanation:
S4 is an extra heart sound caused by the atrial kick as blood is pushed into a ventricle that has reduced compliance or stiffness. It happens late in diastole, just before the first heart sound, and is often referred to as an atrial gallop. In adults, it usually signals a ventricle that’s less able to stretch, as seen with long-standing hypertension, left ventricular hypertrophy, fibrosis, or aging. It’s not a sound from valve closures (those are S1 and S2) and it’s not a turbulence-related murmur. Remember, the existence of S4 points to a stiff ventricle rather than normal valve activity or abnormal flow.

S4 is an extra heart sound caused by the atrial kick as blood is pushed into a ventricle that has reduced compliance or stiffness. It happens late in diastole, just before the first heart sound, and is often referred to as an atrial gallop. In adults, it usually signals a ventricle that’s less able to stretch, as seen with long-standing hypertension, left ventricular hypertrophy, fibrosis, or aging. It’s not a sound from valve closures (those are S1 and S2) and it’s not a turbulence-related murmur. Remember, the existence of S4 points to a stiff ventricle rather than normal valve activity or abnormal flow.

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