A doctor has issued an important warning about hearing your heartbeat when lying down, cautioning that it could be a concerning health issue. While this sensation may seem normal in some cases, it could also indicate underlying health conditions that warrant medical attention.
Typically, lying down to sleep is a time for relaxation—your breathing slows, muscles loosen, and heart rate decreases. Hearing your heartbeat in such moments can often indicate healthy bodily functions, especially after physical activity or during medical exams. However, healthcare professionals warn that if you consistently notice this sound, it might be more than just a benign occurrence.
What Hearing Your Heartbeat May Indicate
Dr. Anthony Youn, a Detroit-based physician renowned for his health advice on TikTok, addressed this issue in a recent video. He described how you might hear a rhythmic thudding when your head hits the pillow, comparing it to “a little person inside your pillow with the bass turned up too loud.”
Dr. Youn explained that hearing your heartbeat occasionally while lying down is generally normal. “If you’re lying on your side and hear your heart beating, it’s most likely your carotid artery basically sitting against your pillow,” he said. The carotid arteries are vital blood vessels located along the neck, near the ears, which can amplify the sound of blood flow.
However, the doctor cautioned that if this sound is constant, regardless of your position, it might signal a concerning health issue known as pulsatile tinnitus.
Understanding Pulsatile Tinnitus
According to Penn Medicine, pulsatile tinnitus is a form of tinnitus characterized by rhythmic sounds resembling a heartbeat, which are heard without any external source. This condition may cause noise in the head, ears, or both. Dr. Youn emphasized that while pulsatile tinnitus is often benign, it’s essential to consult a healthcare provider to rule out more serious conditions.
Potential Causes of the Condition
Hearing your heartbeat while lying down could stem from several underlying health issues, including:
- High Blood Pressure: Increased blood pressure can elevate the sound of blood flow in your ears.
- Atherosclerosis: This hardening of the arteries can cause irregular blood flow, which may produce a pulsating sound.
- Anemia or Pregnancy: Both conditions can increase blood flow and make the heartbeat sound more noticeable.
- Tumors: Rarely, pulsatile tinnitus could be a sign of vascular tumors near the ear or neck.
When to Seek Medical Advice
While Dr. Youn reassured his audience that pulsatile tinnitus is usually harmless, he advised that frequent or persistent instances warrant medical evaluation. Consulting a healthcare provider can help identify the root cause and prevent potential complications.
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