sydänäänen

Sydänäänen is a Finnish term that translates to "heart sound" in English. It refers to the distinct sounds produced by the heart as it pumps blood. These sounds are primarily caused by the closing of the heart valves during the cardiac cycle. The most common and prominent heart sounds are known as S1 and S2.

S1, often described as "lub," is generated by the closure of the mitral and tricuspid valves, which separate the atria from the ventricles. This sound marks the beginning of systole, the phase of the cardiac cycle when the ventricles contract and pump blood out to the body and lungs.

S2, described as "dub," results from the closure of the aortic and pulmonary valves, which are located at the exit of the ventricles. This sound signals the end of systole and the beginning of diastole, the phase when the ventricles relax and fill with blood.

Medical professionals use a stethoscope to listen to these heart sounds. The characteristics of S1 and S2, such as their intensity and timing, can provide valuable information about the overall health of the heart. Deviations from normal heart sounds, such as murmurs or extra sounds (S3 and S4), can indicate various cardiac conditions, including valve defects, heart muscle problems, or other cardiovascular diseases. Auscultation, the process of listening to heart sounds, is a fundamental part of a physical examination.