I can hear heart beat in my ear - British Heart Fou...

British Heart Foundation

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I can hear heart beat in my ear

Plum53 profile image
41 Replies

Hi , Happy New Year to you all.

I just need to ask is it normal to hear your Heat beat in your ear when you go to bed ? I lay on my side and I am aware of this. Should I see a GP or is this normal . I hear it on both sides . My husband does not have this so I am a bit concerned . Thank you for any input

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Plum53 profile image
Plum53
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41 Replies
Kwenda profile image
Kwenda

I don't know about 'normal' , but I sometimes experience this.

Rather suspect it is common.

Dick

Plum53 profile image
Plum53 in reply toKwenda

Hi Dick thank you for prompt reply. I hope it is but I am aware of it every night when I lay my head down on pillow.

Kwenda profile image
Kwenda in reply toPlum53

If we can hear the heart beat in our ears, does this mean we have a good blood flow to the head and brain.??

I rather like that idea..!!!!!! :-) :-)

Happy New Year..

Dick

Plum53 profile image
Plum53 in reply toKwenda

Sounds good Dick but not sure about that one ...

NorthantsSteve profile image
NorthantsSteve

Hi. HNY to you, too. My guess is that this has more to do with your ears than your heart/cardio vascular system. Might be worth getting them checked out if it bothers you or doesn’t go away.

Plum53 profile image
Plum53 in reply toNorthantsSteve

Ok good idea I didn't think of that. Thanks ( but it is both ears )

NorthantsSteve profile image
NorthantsSteve in reply toPlum53

Obviously I can only speak personally. But I’ve only ever experienced this sensation with blocked ears. If you’re worried I’d suggest you get it checked out.

stevejb1810 profile image
stevejb1810

I always get it in my my right ear when lying on my right side (and I mean every night), but never in my left ear. I've always assumed its a common thing and have never thought to ask anyone about it. Maybe I might ask now

Plum53 profile image
Plum53 in reply tostevejb1810

I get it every night too. I used to hear a whooshing noise during the day in my right ear (about 13yrs ago ) Dr. Said ah you have noticed the noise coming from your main artery in your neck . Said its fine but now you have noticed it you will often hear it. I have not heard it for some time now or maybe knowing it was ok it just didn't bother me anymore. Best wishes all

Plum53 profile image
Plum53

Ok I will get it checked. Thank you

Plum53 profile image
Plum53

I have had it for some time now and it's annoying . When I googled it ( I know I shouldn't ) it worried me so I thought I would check with you lovely people. Will need to speak to GP. Thanks for replying

Plum53 profile image
Plum53

Thank you for you advice and taking the time to reply. Always helpful caring people on here willing to try to put minds to rest or to seek further professional help. Thank you

Suzy1954 profile image
Suzy1954 in reply toPlum53

Hi plum53. I’ve had that sensation in my left ear mainly since being diagnosed with AF. It is annoying but I’m used to it now and worry when I can’t hear it! 😀 you can’t win.

Prada47 profile image
Prada47

I have it most nights, I just lie and listen to my Ectopic beats sometimes every 3 beats sometimes every 5 beats !! When it started to pause for around 3/4 seconds I spoke to Heart Failure Nurse and was fitted with a Holter for 24 hours which showed very frequent ectopic beats and the pause, as a consequence of the ectopic beats, Seeing Cardiologist soon but he has requested an up to date echo before I see him !!! The pause scared me at first but seems it one of those things that just happens !!

Regards

Plum53 profile image
Plum53 in reply toPrada47

Well wishing you all the best hope all goes well with cardio apt. Although we wouldn't wish our heart problems on anyone it's nice to know we are not alone. Happy healthy 2019 xx

SK031252 profile image
SK031252

Hi Plum. Happy new year all. I have had that for some time in my left ear. Now that I am in Atrial Flutter. It’s not as bothersome. If I can remember right, I had this when I was young when I would lay on either side. ENT didn’t seemed concerned. Sandy

Plum53 profile image
Plum53 in reply toSK031252

Thanks Sandy it seems louder at bedtime than when I wake up when it's much quieter . Why that would be I don't know. Best wishes

redcarpet123 profile image
redcarpet123 in reply toSK031252

I had af and was fine then had cardioversion and heard it maybe at most 2x

benjijen profile image
benjijen

I have that and it was checked and diagnosed as pulsatile tinnitus a year ago. I already have constant 'ordinary' tinnitus in both ears (about 40 years now) and am used to it but find this type more irritating although it is not constant. Perhaps that's why I find it irritating! It appears when it feels like it, usually daily, and my blood pressure is fine. Nothing they can do about it apparently. It began about a year after I had 2 stents fitted, although I don't know if that's relevant. If it keeps you awake perhaps try white noise which will take your mind off it. If you are concerned then speak to your GP or Cardiologist.

Plum53 profile image
Plum53 in reply tobenjijen

Thanks for reply . When I looked on google pulsation tinnitus came up. I wonder why these problems occur . Annoying but at least not painful.

Prux007 profile image
Prux007

I hear this sometimes as well and other times nothing. Check with the GP.

Plum53 profile image
Plum53 in reply toPrux007

Yes I will ask him or maybe ring heart nurse .

isobelhannah18 profile image
isobelhannah18

I also have tinnitus like benjijen (too many rock concerts in my youth!). I have been able to hear the heart beat in one ear for several years and assumed it was because of my raised B.P., which the G.P. wasn't worried about. However after my H.A. 10 weeks ago my B.P. is normal and it hasn't made a jot of difference to the heart beat. I try to distract myself when it gets too annoying.

Plum53 profile image
Plum53 in reply toisobelhannah18

Hi hope you are recovering well. It sounds like this is something we just have to live with. Wishing you well

isobelhannah18 profile image
isobelhannah18 in reply toPlum53

Thank-you.

LHDLondon profile image
LHDLondon

I was worried when I didn’t have this! I take it as a reassuring sign that the heart is pumping as it should.

Certainly when my valve was defective and when in I had Af I couldnt hear it. After the ops I was pleased to hear it again.

All the best.

Peakbog profile image
Peakbog

Hi. Before being diagnosed with angina I did not notice this effect but it seemed that once I was taking Statins, aspirin and PPI’s I started to hear my blood pumping when I went to bed. I googled it and was worried that it was due to increased turbulence due to narrowing arteries but my doctor said that this can also be heard easily by another person close by with a stethoscope. He checked me and said I was fine. So I have put it down to the medication. I don’t have a high BP. It is always low when I go to bed anyway. Hope this is the same in your case.

Plum53 profile image
Plum53 in reply toPeakbog

Thank you for replying . I was diagnosed Nov.16 with angina I have an 80% blockage in LAD and have those medications to treat it so maybe it's the same for me. Keep well

dunestar profile image
dunestar

Hello Plum53. I'm pretty sure Peakbog is right, that it can be caused by the medications we take. I've recently stopped taking bisoprolol and have had a really hard time with hearing my heartbeat in my ears. Not only at night but daytime as well. it's very annoying and I can get into a negative feedback loop by becoming anxious about it. I sometimes try noise as a distraction technique or the relaxation approach suggested by Concerned. Best wishes.

Plum53 profile image
Plum53 in reply todunestar

Lots to think about thank you

starchild8862 profile image
starchild8862

Worth checking for wax in ears.

redcarpet123 profile image
redcarpet123

HimPlum53 funny you should say this but a few days ago I heard my heart beat in my ear when I lay in bed so turned to the other side and same thing happened it's fine now. I was like you wondering whether it was normal. perfectly ok now. I'm going to ask the question when I go to cardio.

Plum53 profile image
Plum53 in reply toredcarpet123

That's really interesting that you heard it then it just went away... Let us know what your Cardio says about it. All the best

Hullensian profile image
Hullensian

Oh dear! We are all guilty of this, ie asking everyone about our symptoms apart from the experts. Please go to you doctor and ask for both heart and hearing tests.

Plum53 profile image
Plum53 in reply toHullensian

I will tell GP see what they say . If they are concerned they will check me over. Thank you for your reply.

Guudhubby1 profile image
Guudhubby1

I had this problem in childhood and young age(20s).Now in plump 40s I had almost forgotten it.You reminded me of it.

You may get your blood pressure checked,may take little head high position while sleeping, do some anti anxiety meditation (if you have some anxiety ),or simply sleep earphones with soft music ,such that you sleep while forgetting this "aural palpitation ".

Plum53 profile image
Plum53 in reply toGuudhubby1

Thank you for your kind advice will try some of your suggestions out . Best wishes

Bikerbum99 profile image
Bikerbum99

Hi plum53 I’ve not been on for a while and only just saw your msg , I hope this helps you and anyone else with this problem , my symptoms were -

Waking early hours of the morning between 1 & 5am which ticked me off big time ! Feeling hot with heart thumping ( although beating normally not fast or too slow 😕 ) I was used to throwing the sheets back and taking off t shirt to cool my core temperature which sort of worked but ? , last night woke half twelve a.m. thumping heart and too hot this lasted till 5.30 a.m. so I drink about a pint of water and 10to 20 mins later no thumping or overheating 😁 so if you’ve had heart probs or circulation issues it maybe the meds your on dehydrating you which seems to cause your heart to thump harder and become more noticable . I asked various medical professionals who didn’t seem to know the answer so I’m praying I’ve found it purely by accident !

What I do now is if my mouth starts to feel dry at any point I drink 500ml of water approx half a pint and the same every night before bed , would rather wake for a wee and be able to get back to sleep than lay there listening to heart all night with no sleep at all 👀 hope everyone had a happy Christmas and new year take care campers , Toodle pop ! Regards Adam 😋

Plum53 profile image
Plum53 in reply toBikerbum99

Thanks Adam I will try that now will drink a full glass and see if it works. Fingers crossed

ros69 profile image
ros69

I think it sounds more like tinnitus which I have rather than anything to do with your heart

Plum53 profile image
Plum53 in reply toros69

Thank you for your reply. The funny thing is I have recently returned from a cruise with eight hour flight each way. I had earphones in to watch the on flight movies and now I don't hear my heartbeat which is great but that makes me think it was my ears after all . Will monitor it and hope it does not return. X

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