Understanding S2: The Second Heart Sound
The "dub" in "lub-dub" is called S2, and it happens when your heart finishes pumping and begins to relax. This sound is created by the closing of the aortic and pulmonary valves, which vibrate and produce that distinctive "dub" sound you hear.
S2 marks the beginning of diastole - the relaxation phase when your ventricles fill with blood from the atria. While S1 happens during contraction, S2 occurs when your ventricles are relaxing and preparing for the next heartbeat cycle.
During the transition from S1 to S2 (systole), the tricuspid and mitral valves remain closed while the aortic and pulmonary valves open. After S2, these valve positions reverse - the aortic and pulmonary valves close while the tricuspid and mitral valves open to allow blood flow from the atria into the ventricles.
Remember This: A complete heartbeat consists of both S1 and S2 sounds. The systolic phase occurs between S1 and S2, while the diastolic phase happens between S2 and the next S1.