Is S3 abnormal in older adults?

An S3 heart sound, often referred to as a "ventricular gallop," can be a normal finding in younger individuals, particularly in children and young adults, as it may indicate increased blood flow during diastole. However, in older adults, the presence of an S3 sound is generally considered abnormal and can be indicative of underlying heart conditions, such as heart failure or volume overload.

As individuals age, the heart's ability to accommodate changes in volume decreases, and the presence of an S3 sound often signals a pathological condition rather than a normal physiological variation. Therefore, when assessing older adults, particularly those with risk factors for cardiovascular disease, the detection of an S3 sound warrants further investigation to rule out any associated cardiac dysfunction or heart failure. This understanding highlights the significance of the heart sound in older populations and explains why the answer indicates that S3 is abnormal in older adults.