Essential Heart Sounds

Summation Gallop at 120 beats per minute

When the heart beats very rapidly, as in this recording, the diastolic period is compressed. This results in the third and fourth sounds merging, creating a single loud sound. Use the 'Visual' tab to view an animation of an enlarged left ventricle with decreased left ventricular contractility and a minimally enlarged left atrium.

Listen

patient torso with stethoscope chestpiece

The patient's position should be supine.

Visualize

Observe

The cardiac animation shows an enlarged left ventricle with decreased left ventricular contractility and a minimally enlarged left atrium.

Authors and Reviewers

Authored by Thomas O Brien
. Medically reviewed by Dr. Jonathan Keroes, MD
Last Update: 11/8/2021