I Started Hearing My Heartbeat — When to See a Specialist? Is This Pulsatile Tinnitus?

Hello,

I just found this forum. I started hearing my heartbeat two days ago. It's not really loud, but I can still hear it. It's synced with my heartbeat. Could it be pulsatile tinnitus? How soon should I go to see a specialist?

Other than that, I am healthy. I do have high blood pressure but it has been under control with medication. I checked my blood pressure twice a day and have been normal. Also I use Kardia to check my EKG once a day and it said my EKG is normal as well.

I am pretty worried at this point.

Any comments/suggestions are greatly appreciated.

Thank you.

 

Hello, Thomas, and welcome to the Tinnitus Talk forum. Here you will find many helpful people with first-hand experience of pulsatile tinnitus and many with a strong theoretical foundation with which to help you analyze your symptoms and navigate the medical system.

Tell us what your tinnitus sounds like. What aggravates the tinnitus and what makes it better? Is it noticeable in one ear or both? Is the sound high or low pitch? Can you make the sound stop by tilting your head in certain positions or pressing your jugular vein?

If your symptoms persist you may want to schedule an appointment with your primary care physician. The doctor will conduct a preliminary investigation of your ears. If necessary, the doctor may refer you to an ENT doctor for additional tests.

Russell

 

Hello @Russell Grimes,

Thank you for your reply. The tinnitus sounds like heartbeat, not very loud, but I can hear it clearly. It's hard to describe, but it does sync with my heartbeat.

It started two nights ago when I woke up from a bad dream, my heart was pounding, then I started hearing the heartbeat in my ear. I think it's from my left ear only. Nothing really can make it better or stop. It's low pitch. And just continuously all day long.

If I have my TV on, I can barely hear it.

Thank you.

 

Are you experiencing any accompanying symptoms? If your heart was pounding, the excessive cardiac output can cause the temporary sensation of pulsatile tinnitus but it should go away when at rest if blood pressure is normal. You indicated in your initial post that your blood pressure has not been elevated.

It is possible that your pulsatile tinnitus is temporary and caused by anxiety. However, if it continues you may want to schedule an appointment with your doctor and explain your concerns so you can be checked.

 

I don't have any accompanying symptoms, everything seems normal. My heart is not pounding anymore but I can still hear the heartbeat through my left ear. And I was able to fall asleep at night, so it doesn't really disrupt my daily life.

How long should I wait till I go to see a doctor?

Thank you.

 

If you are not bothered by the sound, that is encouraging for your mental health. Many people become so frazzled by the sound they cannot function well. How long you wait to see your doctor is a personal decision; however. you may want to get checked sooner than later for peace of mind and to help rule out any serious problems.

 

Thank you, Russell.

 

I just want to give an update. I just saw my Otolaryngologist and he told me the cause of my pulsatile tinnitus is probably because of my weight loss, which subjected me to be easier to hear my heartbeat through my ears. I have scheduled a CT scan just in case.

I will post further update when available. Thank you.