Loud Heart Beat

[Retiredlady]

I hear my heart beating in my ears all the time.

My heart specialist says there’s nothing he can do about it!

Does anyone else have these same strange symptoms?I am worried it might be a symptom of something serious!

[BobD Volunteer]

Pulsatile tinitus is not that uncommon for those with AF. I have had it in my right ear for ten years or more. Annoying at 2 am is an understatement but your cardiologist ir right.

That said my audiologist did write to my GP to advise them as in some cases it may indicated carotid artery clogging he told me. No action taken . As a side effect of AF not likely.

[Retiredlady in reply to BobD]

Did u have a test to make sure your carotid artery isn’t partially blocked?

[BobD Volunteer in reply to Retiredlady]

I said no action taken. There is an ultrasound test for such but as a common side effect of AF not likely.

[BJ24 in reply to BobD]

Might be a good idea to have a carotid ultrasound in case your arteries are becoming blocked....very surprised the doc didn't order that...but one was a GP & other audiologist & must not have consulted cardiologist...sometimes you have to be a squeaky wheel.

[Jalia]

I get this occasionally. It's a bit unnerving at the time but it's not persistent.

[Rosie1066]

yes, I have it. I have had it ever since I had a mechanical aortic valve replacement back in 2009. It’s very common after valve replacement surgery, so I am told.

[jeanjeannie50]

I've had it a few times in the past, think it's quite common. Have no idea what it signifies but I'm still here about 15 years later and don't get it at all now. I've had AF for 20 years.Jean

[BJ24 in reply to jeanjeannie50]

Do you take a blood thinner? If so, any problems with taking blood thinners?

[jeanjeannie50 in reply to BJ24]

I'm on the good old fashioned Warfarin that's been around roughly 60 years. I've had no problems since first using 20 years ago.

[AVNA]

Had pulsatile tinnitus from my left ear many years before developing AF. I was told, at the time, I have left carotid calcification.

After my AF became permanent made it intolerable for years, until December 2023 when I had the AV node ablation and a PM in. Still have, but I can live with it now.

I understand your dilemma…

Take care

[Retiredlady in reply to AVNA]

What test did u have to confirm carotid calcification?

[ozziebob in reply to Retiredlady]

As you haven't had a specific answer to your question re your carotid artery, and because there are specific scans and blood tests for atherosclerosis and calcification, may I suggest you ask you put your queries to the free version of ChatGPT, as I have recently. The information you receive will be very helpful as background to any approach about your concerns to your medical advisors.

Of course you will first need to install the free version of ChatGPT, which is easily done.

Good luck.

[AVNA in reply to Retiredlady]

About 2010 I had an ultrasound, and it was detected. Then 2011 developed AF and had many tests and never was mentioned again. But I should keep my Cholesterol in control, take medications for it plus other meds.

[BJ24 in reply to Retiredlady]

They usually do a carotid ultrasound to detect calcification in neck vessels which can be a cause for pulsatile tinnitus.

[dogsneedwalking]

Hello there, yes I get that to and also in my eyes especially when my heart rate is elevated but so used to it now it is more annoying than worrying. Take care.

[Ilovedogs12 in reply to dogsneedwalking]

I also get it in my eyes and I agree it is annoying. I forget to mention it to the cardiologist because it's not frequent.

[Latte22]

I have it too, in my right ear. Not all the time Mostly when I wake. It's annoying, but I'm used to it now. Handy for knowing heart rate

😀

[Neoneo]

Yes I get this. I have found the pulse that make the sound is at the front of the ear where it joins the face. When my heart is playing up, hearing it as well drives me crackers. You will have to learn to live with it, like me.

[Retiredlady in reply to Neoneo]

Yes, I suppose so!Just need reassurance that it isn’t dangerous.

[BJ24 in reply to Retiredlady]

Get a carotid ultrasound just to make sure.

[Retiredlady in reply to BJ24]

Thank you..I will let u all know the results

[Ascb]

Yes I get this too. I can stop hearing it sometimes if I move my jaw towards the other side of my face, although obviously it's difficult to fall asleep again trying to hold that! Seems to be a thing with AF. It's so frustrating when you get the 'its nothing to worry about' reply from medics when what you want is an explanation of why it's happening.

[Retiredlady in reply to Ascb]

Yes, when I told my gp her response was “if it sounds regular don’t worry about it!”

[BJ24 in reply to Retiredlady]

😯

[Ppiman]

It comes and goes in my case, although my ringing tinnitus is a permanent fixture. I suspect pulsatile tinnitus is linked to some aspect, anatomical or congestion, of the nasal sinuses. Do you ever get sinus problems or congestion issues? For years I have lived with sinus troubles, sadly, although - touch wood - this past few months there's been an improvement for whatever reason.

Steve

[Retiredlady in reply to Ppiman]

No, I’ve never had any sinus issues…just have a constant awareness of my heart beat.

Find it hard to get to sleep it’s so loud!

[Ppiman in reply to Retiredlady]

There are several here who suffer. Mine - touch wood - has never been so loud as yours, but not far away on occasion. Luckily it comes and goes. Let’s hope that yours eventually does the same. It is such bad luck when these things come on top of other troubles.

Steve

[BJ24 in reply to Ppiman]

Then again, it may be a warning to have it checked. If pulsatile tinnitus is indicating a carotid artery blockage, no one will know unless a carotid ultrasound is done...docs should order that.

[Ppiman in reply to BJ24]

That's well said and a good point.

Steve

[Retiredlady in reply to BJ24]

I will discuss this with my cardiologist when I see him in February.

[Windlepoons]

I've had it for many years. I find it's best to not pay attention to the sound. I think it goes off and sulks in the corner then and I don't notice it so much. I agree with latte22 that there's a benefit to as it means I easily know what my heart is doing.🤗

[Twosumsmum]

when I got so fed up with the tinnitus I went for a hearing check at one of opticians locally , mentioned I could hear my heartbeat and lots of other sounds as well , they sent a report to the GP asking for referral to audiology who did tests , prescribed hearing aids and appointments either the tinnitus clinic .

[BevCynfelyn]

I have it too, it's been especially noticeable this week because I have got a new dog. He's a 7 year old beagle. He's sleeps downstairs in the kitchen and I'm upstairs in bed, but boy can he snore. So I put my swimming earplugs in. And my own heartbeat deafened me instead. I can't win!!

[RxMe]

I had this for years, but it magically disappeared after my AF ablation. Coincidence…?

[RexH]

Hi ,I have had the same thing for many years now, but it comes and goes with me, it hasn't been bad for a while with me. Nothing to do with AF, so that's good . It can be very annoying , I have constant ectopic beats , sometimes heart sounds like it's going to stop , but fortunately not AF since my ablation in 2016, I am 73 now . So please don't be distressed over it, you are not alone with it .

[LindaDaisy]

I have permanent AF but I’m paced as well. I can hear it if I lay flat or on my left side. Sometimes in bed, however I lay, I hear it. That scares me and I have to sit up. I sympathise with you.