Herztöne

Herztöne, also known as heart sounds, are the noises generated by the heart valves closing during the cardiac cycle. These sounds are typically described as "lub-dub" and are fundamental to the physical examination of the cardiovascular system. The first heart sound, or S1, occurs at the beginning of ventricular systole and is caused by the closure of the atrioventricular valves, the mitral and tricuspid valves. The second heart sound, or S2, marks the beginning of ventricular diastole and is due to the closure of the semilunar valves, the aortic and pulmonary valves.

Variations in the intensity, duration, and timing of these sounds, as well as the presence of additional sounds such as murmurs or gallops, can indicate various cardiac conditions. For instance, a heart murmur is an abnormal sound caused by turbulent blood flow through the heart valves or great vessels, which can be indicative of valvular stenosis or regurgitation. Gallops, such as S3 and S4, are extra heart sounds that can suggest ventricular dysfunction. Auscultation of heart sounds, performed with a stethoscope, is a non-invasive and vital diagnostic tool used by healthcare professionals to assess heart health.