These are called Gallop Rhythms because the heart sounds are grouped together so they sound like three horses.

• A. Murmurs
• B. Gallop Rhythms
• C. Rubs
• D. Clicks

Answer: (B)

A gallop rhythm is an extra heart sound that adds to the normal sounds S1 and S2, producing a rapid three-beat cadence that sounds like a horse galloping. This happens when another sound occurs in the cardiac cycle either after S2 (ventricular gallop, S3) or just before S1 (atrial gallop, S4). An S3 gallop comes from rapid ventricular filling in early diastole and often points to volume overload or reduced ventricular function; an S4 gallop comes from atrial contraction into a stiff ventricle and is associated with long-standing hypertension or LV hypertrophy. These sounds are different from murmurs (turbulent blood flow across valves), rubs (pericardial friction), and clicks (valve-related short, sharp sounds). In practice, hearing a gallop rhythm signals potential abnormal ventricular function or compliance and usually warrants further evaluation.