We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Health

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What is a Gallop Rhythm?

Tricia Christensen
By
Updated: Feb 20, 2024
Views: 27,617
Share

A gallop rhythm is a medical term for an additional heart sound that can usually be heard by stethoscope. It gets its name because it makes the heart sound similar to a horse running at a gallop. The significance of the rhythm is a little less clear-cut. It might indicate presence of a heart problem or could be completely benign, depending on other circumstances.

To confuse matters, there are two types of gallop rhythm called third and fourth sounds, which may be very close together so that they sound like one sound. These additional sounds are often called S3 and S4. As mentioned, presence of either of these sounds might be significant or might not be.

In particular, third heart sounds, S3, could be completely normal. They are known to be common in children and young adults, and they may not cause concern unless there are symptoms of heart disease present. After the age of 40, an S3 is often thought of as an important diagnostic tool suggesting there may some heart disease and that more inquiry is warranted.

There might be cause for concern if a third sound is present in children, since it can indicate certain forms of heart defects, and potentially small ventricular septal defects. Usually the third sound is watched and children might be referred to a cardiologist for greater testing if it continues or if other signs of a heart condition develop. If a child has displayed a gallop rhythm with a third sound for some time, it might make sense to see a cardiologist sooner, particularly if that child has any upcoming dental procedures. Even a small procedure like a cleaning could put the child at greater risk for endocarditis if he has any defect in the heart.

An S4 gallop rhythm falls right before the first “beat- beat” of the heart, sounding as though it is interrupting the normal heartbeat process. Unlike third sound gallop rhythm, S4 usually indicates serious problems with the heart. These could arise from certain congenital heart defects, or they could the result from damage to the heart or circulatory disease like high blood pressure. Enlarged or hypertrophic hearts can display this form of gallop rhythm too.

When a reliable fourth sound is heard, this usually warrants other testing to determine potential disease and to begin immediate treatment as is needed. Especially when this rhythm is caught early, disease can potentially be arrested before it is fully expressed. Attentive auscultation or listening with a stethoscope thus remains an important part of physical examination that should be respected. It may catch, long before other problems might be evident, a gallop rhythm that indicates heart disease, offering a potential for treatment much sooner.

Share
WiseGeek is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
Tricia Christensen
By Tricia Christensen
With a Literature degree from Sonoma State University and years of experience as a WiseGeek contributor, Tricia Christensen is based in Northern California and brings a wealth of knowledge and passion to her writing. Her wide-ranging interests include reading, writing, medicine, art, film, history, politics, ethics, and religion, all of which she incorporates into her informative articles. Tricia is currently working on her first novel.

Editors' Picks

Discussion Comments
By anon947758 — On Apr 27, 2014

I have gallop rhythm. I still don't know if it is serious. I don't believe anyone knows.

By Melonlity — On Mar 09, 2014

Ugh. Heart problems. Nasty stuff. Anyone with a family history of heart trouble needs to be careful -- severe heart problems are genetic.

Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen
With a Literature degree from Sonoma State University and years of experience as a WiseGeek contributor, Tricia...
Learn more
Share
https://www.wise-geek.com/what-is-a-gallop-rhythm.htm
Copy this link
WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.