Which heart sound is associated with aortic stenosis?

Aortic stenosis is characterized by a specific heart sound known as a "S4" sound, which is a late diastolic sound caused by the stiffening of the left ventricle. In individuals with aortic stenosis, the heart has to work harder to push blood through the narrowed aortic valve, leading to a thickened and less compliant left ventricle over time. This increased ventricular pressure can result in the S4 heart sound being produced as the atria contract to push blood into the stiff ventricle.

The presence of the S4 sound is often indicative of left ventricular hypertrophy and decreased ventricular compliance, both of which are common in aortic stenosis. Recognizing this heart sound is crucial in assessing the severity of the stenosis and the overall cardiac function of the patient.

Other heart sounds associated with different conditions, such as S3, which is more commonly associated with heart failure due to volume overload, or a low-pitched rumbling sound typically related to mitral stenosis, are not relevant in the context of aortic stenosis. The harsh, grating murmur is also characteristic of aortic stenosis, but it is a different phenomenon focusing on the nature of the murmur itself rather