When a healthcare professional listens to your heart with a stethoscope, they are assessing the sounds made by your heart valves as they open and close. These sounds can provide important clues about how well your heart is functioning.
A normal heartbeat produces two main sounds, often described as “lub-dub.”
- The “lub” (first heart sound) occurs when the mitral and tricuspid valves close. This marks the start of the contraction phase, known as systole.
- The “dub” (second heart sound) happens when the aortic and pulmonary valves close. This signals the beginning of the relaxation phase, called diastole.
These sounds help healthcare professionals evaluate whether the valves are working properly. A clear, regular “lub-dub” usually indicates healthy valve function. Extra sounds or unusual rhythms can suggest changes in how blood is flowing through the heart.
One common example is a heart murmur, which is an additional whooshing or swishing sound. Murmurs can be harmless or may point to issues like valve narrowing (stenosis) or leaking (regurgitation).
If abnormal sounds are heard, further testing such as an echocardiogram may be recommended to examine the structure and function of the heart in more detail.