What it really means if you can hear your heartbeat when you lie down in bed
Ella Scott
Featured Image Credit: Getty Stock Image
A medical expert has revealed why hearing your heartbeat at night could indicate you’re suffering from an underlying health condition.
Picture this: you’re finished with your everything shower, skincare has been slugged, hair is wrapped in heatless curlers and finally, it’s time to hit the hay.
But as you’re getting settled in and placing your head on your pillow, you can hear the beating of your heart.
Now, it’s normal to occasionally be able to hear your heartbeat—if you’ve been running or are under stress during a medical examination for example.
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However, if this is a regular occurrence for you then you may want to book in with your GP as soon as possible, says one doctor.
Detroit-based physician Dr. Anthony Youn regularly goes viral on TikTok when sharing helpful advice.
He covers everything from pregnancy to skincare, weight loss, pregnancy, and lesser-known health issues.
Speaking about why hearing your heartbeat in your ear can be dangerous, Dr Youn began: "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."
"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.”
Penn Medicine defines pulsatile tinnitus as a ‘rhythmic thumping, whooshing or throbbing in one or both ears’.
It often pulses in time with the heartbeat and is caused by a person hearing blood flowing through their head.
Some sufferers have previously described this sound as ‘annoying’ in the past, while others claim it can be so intense that it’s difficult to concentrate on work or get to sleep.
However, it isn’t the only reason why you may be hearing your heartbeat in your ear.
An ear blockage, having high blood pressure, narrowed veins or arteries in the head and neck, an obscured connection between arteries and veins, or benign head or neck tumours could all contribute.
Moreover, anaemia and pregnancy, which can affect the heart, could also be responsible.
"Although it’s usually benign, there are some potentially concerning causes, so it’s best to see your doctor," Dr Youn said.
One person in the comments said: "Sooo I’ve been jamming out to this my whole life…it’s not just me!!"
Another added: "I had this for a few months. Thought my life was over because it was soooo annoying! Couldn’t sit in silence. It went away on its own."