Health expert issues advice to anyone who can hear heartbeat when lying on pillow at night
First aider Sarah Jeffries says coping strategies are 'crucial'
A health expert has opened up about the unnerving phenomenon of hearing your heartbeat in your head while you're trying to sleep, and explained what to do about it.
While noticing this every now and again isn't something of great concern, if it happens all the time it could indicate a gravely serious health issue.
As such, first aid expert Sarah Jeffries is this week using her experience as a means of raising awareness.
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Jeffries' warning comes after TikTok medic Dr Anthony Youn went viral for a recent social media video on the issue.
He disclosed last month: "If, every once in a while, you’re lying on your side and you hear your heart beating, it’s most likely your carotid artery basically sitting against your pillow."
He went on to warn, however, that in some severe cases, it could indicate something more sinister happening behind the scenes.
"If you’re hearing your heart beating all the time when you’re lying on your side, or especially when you’re standing up, then it could be pulsatile tinnitus," the board-certified plastic surgeon disclosed.
The NHS describes the condition as a much rarer variation of tinnitus - which itself describes the perception of a harsh ringing or buzzing sound, though no external factors are causing it.
In the case of pulsatile tinnitus, however, as opposed to experiencing a buzzing or a ringing, patients claim to hear a heartbeat-like thudding in their heads and ears.
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One patient recently told the New York Post that the sound is somewhat like 'a washing machine in a spin cycle and a vacuum'.
One health expert that has chimed in on the unsettling issue is first aider Sarah Jeffries, who told Tyla this week that condition can be deemed an unsettling experience.
The Emergency First Aid at Work Course worker began by explaining: "It's typically caused by changes in blood flow or pressure near the ear.
"Common underlying causes include high blood pressure, ear infections, or even conditions affecting the blood vessels, such as atherosclerosis or a vascular tumour."
Speaking about the means of tackling it, she went on to state: "Treatment depends on identifying the root cause.
"For example, managing blood pressure through lifestyle changes or medication can often reduce symptoms. In some cases, minor surgical procedures or therapies like sound masking can help alleviate the discomfort."
She added that coping strategies are 'crucial' in handling the condition: "Simple steps like maintaining a healthy diet, reducing stress, and avoiding triggers such as caffeine can make a difference.
"If the condition becomes persistent or starts to affect your quality of life, seeking medical advice is vital to explore further diagnostic tests and tailored treatments."
Rhianna Benson