Heart sounds

Question 1

What causes S1 sound?

Answer 1

Closing of the mitral and bicuspid heart valves

Question 2

What causes s2 heart sound?

Answer 2

Closing of the aortic and pulmonary heart valves

Question 3

What would you hear if there was a split A2 P2?

Answer 3

• ** * ** The second heart sound would be slightly split. Usually hard to hear this.

Question 4

What does an innocent murmur sound like and when would it occur?

Answer 4

Mid frequency early systolic murmur. May occur in athletes, pregnancy, hyperthyroidism and anaemia

Question 5

Tap out what S3 sounds like and list some common causes

Answer 5

1 -23–1-23– The third heart sound is caused by a sudden deceleration of blood flow into the left ventricle from the left atrium.

Seen in athletes and heart failure

Question 6

Tap out an S4 rhythm, explain why it occurs and list some common causes

Answer 6

41-2–41-2–41-2

The fourth heart sound is produced by an increase in stiffness of the left ventricle due to scar tissue formation, essential hypertension or aortic stenosis.

Question 7

Tap out an S3 S4 rhythm, when would it normally occur?

Answer 7

41–23–41–23–41–23

This can indicate an improvement in heart failure, where S4 occurs alongside a pre existing S3.

Question 8

What would you hear on auscultating aortic sclerosis?

Answer 8

Musical murmur - turbulent blood flow
“cooing sound”
Early systolic crescendo - decrescendo