Pulsatile Tinnitus and Tension-Like Headaches

Hi! Since around March of this year I've noticed that I get a whooshing sound in perfect time with my heartbeat. After some googling it's clear that this seems to be Pulsatile Tinnitus, though obviously I have no idea what the cause is. It's not constant, but gets worse with positional changes/bending over etc. It's only from what I can tell in my left ear.

I went to my GP after having tension headaches for around 8-9 months (plus a number of other odd/worrying symptoms) and was diagnosed with having chronic tension headaches. I have a nasty case of GAD which really elevates my blood pressure, so I guess that could be a potential cause. I mentioned the whooshing to my Doctor and he didn't even bat and eye lid, nor really pick up on it at all.

I'm wondering if I should go elsewhere/book another appointment in order to better discuss the tinnitus? I have a history of health related anxiety and kind of feel like I'm being palmed off because of said history.

Just wondering if anyone can give me any advice!

Thanks!

 

Unlikely to be anything serious but changes in position causes changes in orthostatic blood pressure.

Plus your elevated GAD means hypervigilance which means your senses become highly sensitized meaning an increased awareness of blood flow

 

Yeah I was thinking moreso along the lines of hypervigiliance and the like. I first noticed it during a spell of the norovirus and has been on and off since.

 

Hi Sluggy,

I sound rather similar to you.

If you're still having this occur, see an ENT just to be sure. They'll do a few tests and make sure everything is fine.

All the best.