Two distinguishable sounds can be heard during the cycle of the
beating heart when listened to with a stethoscope. The heart sounds
are usually described as a lup-dup sound. These sounds are due to
the closing of the valves of the heart. Unusual heart sounds are
called murmurs.
Review Date: 12/10/2010
Reviewed By: A.D.A.M. Editorial Team: David Zieve, MD, MHA, and David R. Eltz.
Previously reviewed by David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of
Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine,
University of Washington School of Medicine (5/16/2010).
A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)
