S3 is a normal finding in which group?

S3 is a normal finding in which group?

• A. Children and young adults <40 y/o
• B. Elderly with heart failure
• C. Athletes with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
• D. Atrial fibrillation patients

Answer: (A)

S3 is the early diastolic sound generated by rapid ventricular filling into a very compliant ventricle. In children and young adults under about 40, the ventricles are highly compliant and fill quickly, so an S3 can be a normal finding rather than a sign of disease. As people age, the ventricle often becomes less compliant or filling pressures rise; in older adults an S3 usually points to pathology such as volume overload or heart failure. Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy stiffens the ventricle, making an S4 more typical rather than an S3, and atrial fibrillation’s irregular rhythm makes a consistent S3 less characteristic as a normal finding. Therefore, the group for which S3 is a normal finding is children and young adults under 40.

S3 is the early diastolic sound generated by rapid ventricular filling into a very compliant ventricle. In children and young adults under about 40, the ventricles are highly compliant and fill quickly, so an S3 can be a normal finding rather than a sign of disease. As people age, the ventricle often becomes less compliant or filling pressures rise; in older adults an S3 usually points to pathology such as volume overload or heart failure. Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy stiffens the ventricle, making an S4 more typical rather than an S3, and atrial fibrillation’s irregular rhythm makes a consistent S3 less characteristic as a normal finding. Therefore, the group for which S3 is a normal finding is children and young adults under 40.