Südameheli

Südameheli is an Estonian term that translates to "heart sound" or "heart sound recording." It refers to the auditory phenomena produced by the heart during its rhythmic cycle of contraction and relaxation. These sounds are primarily caused by the closure of heart valves.

The most common and significant heart sounds are the first and second heart sounds, often referred to as S1 and S2. S1, the "lub" sound, is produced by the closing of the atrioventricular valves (mitral and tricuspid valves) as the ventricles begin to contract. S2, the "dub" sound, is caused by the closure of the semilunar valves (aortic and pulmonary valves) as the ventricles relax.

Variations in the intensity, timing, or presence of these sounds, as well as the occurrence of additional sounds like S3 and S4, can indicate various physiological or pathological conditions. For instance, abnormal heart sounds, known as murmurs, can suggest issues with blood flow through the valves or within the heart chambers.

Auscultation, the process of listening to these heart sounds using a stethoscope, is a fundamental diagnostic tool in cardiology. Sophisticated electronic devices can also record and analyze these sounds, providing more detailed information than traditional auscultation. The study of südameheli is crucial for assessing cardiac health and diagnosing heart disease.