What heart sound is commonly associated with congestive heart failure?

The S3 heart sound, also known as the "ventricular gallop," is commonly associated with congestive heart failure. This sound occurs during the rapid filling phase of the ventricles when blood is entering from the atria, which can happen when the ventricles are stiff or have decreased compliance, often seen in conditions like heart failure. The presence of an S3 can indicate volume overload and is often used as a clinical sign of congestive heart failure, particularly in patients with fluid retention and volume overload.

In contrast, the S1 heart sound marks the beginning of ventricular contraction, while the S4 heart sound occurs just before S1 and is indicative of a stiff ventricle or problems with ventricular filling; it is often associated with conditions such as hypertensive heart disease or ischemia. The term "systolic heart sound" does not refer to a specific heart sound in the context of heart failure but rather encompasses the heart sounds that occur during the systolic phase, which does not directly relate to the characteristic sounds heard in congestive heart failure. Therefore, the S3 heart sound is the most relevant indicator in the context of this question.