What does ICD-10 code S26 mean?

ICD-10 code S26 is the standardized code used for injury of heart in medical records and coding systems.

When is ICD-10 code S26 used?

Doctors, hospitals, and insurers may use ICD-10 code S26 when recording injury of heart in a standardized format. This entry may also act as a broader category that points toward more specific child codes.

Does ICD-10 code S26 confirm a diagnosis?

No. A code helps standardize documentation and claims, but it should not be read as a substitute for a clinician's full assessment.

ICD10

ICD-10 Code S26: Injury of heart

Name: ICD-10 Code S26: Injury of heart
Creator: HealthAssure Clinical Team
Published: 2026-05-21T06:33:27.651Z

S26 is an ICD-10 diagnosis entry used to group records related to Injury of heart. You may see this entry in coding references, medical records, or claims workflows when a broader diagnosis category is being reviewed before a more specific code is chosen. ICD-10 entries help standardize how diagnoses are organized for coding, reporting, analytics, and documentation. This code sits within the broader ICD-10 area for Injury, poisoning and certain other consequences of external causes (S00-T88).

Reviewed by HealthAssure Clinical TeamUpdated 21 May 2026

What is this code?

ICD-10 entries help standardize how diagnoses are organized for coding, reporting, analytics, and documentation. This code sits within the broader ICD-10 area for Injury, poisoning and certain other consequences of external causes (S00-T88).

When is it used?

May be used when a clinician documents injury of heart in a patient's medical record.
May appear in hospital records, claims, referrals, and clinical documentation.
This code may act more like a grouping or parent code, so a more specific child code may be used in final documentation when available.

What it does not mean

A code alone does not explain severity, treatment plan, or outcome.
A medical code should not be treated as a substitute for a doctor's diagnosis or advice.
This entry may represent a broader category rather than the most specific billable code.

Code hierarchy

chapter

19Injury, poisoning and certain other consequences of external causes (S00-T88)

block

S20-S29Injuries to the thorax

currentS20-S29

Official coding notes

Code also

any associated:
open wound of thorax (S21.-)
traumatic hemopneumothorax (S27.2)
traumatic hemothorax (S27.1)
traumatic pneumothorax (S27.0)

7th character notes

The appropriate 7th character is to be added to each code from category S26
initial encounter
subsequent encounter
sequela

Where you may see this code

You may see this entry in coding references, medical records, or claims workflows when a broader diagnosis category is being reviewed before a more specific code is chosen.

Related specialists

Emergency Medicine SpecialistOrthopedic SpecialistENT SpecialistCardiologist

Sibling codes

S20Superficial injury of thorax S21Open wound of thorax S22Fracture of rib(s), sternum and thoracic spine S23Dislocation and sprain of joints and ligaments of thorax S24Injury of nerves and spinal cord at thorax level S25Injury of blood vessels of thorax S27Injury of other and unspecified intrathoracic organs S28Crushing injury of thorax, and traumatic amputation of part of thorax S29Other and unspecified injuries of thorax

Coding guidelines

Compatibility

Legacy code aligns to an official FY 2026 category. Frontend should resolve to the official category page and surface the billable child codes.

Legacy codes

S26

Common synonyms

Injury of heart

Frequently asked questions

About this content

This page is prepared by HealthAssure's clinical team using official coding standards from ICD-10. AI tools assist with drafting explanations, which are then reviewed and verified by healthcare professionals for accuracy. This content is for informational purposes and does not replace professional medical advice. Meet our team.