Ask a doctor: ‘Why do I hear my heartbeat in my ears?’

You’ve probably felt your heart pounding in your chest after strenuous activity, or taken your pulse by placing your fingers on your wrist or neck.
A less common (and sometimes surprising) sensation is hearing the “hiss” sound of your heartbeats in your ears.
Fox News Digital reached out to two doctors to find out more about what causes this and if it’s cause for concern.
ANGER MAY INCREASE RISK OF HEART ATTACK, STUDY FINDS: ‘CHRONIC INSULT OF THE ARTERIES’
Hearing your heartbeat in your ears, also known by the Latin name “pulsatile tinnitus,” isn’t always a sign of a medical problem, but it might warrant a conversation with your doctor, according to Frederick James Meine, MD, an interventional cardiologist. with Novant Health in Wilmington, North Carolina.
Hearing your heartbeat in your ears, also known by the Latin name “pulsatile tinnitus,” is not always a sign of a medical problem. Still, it might warrant a conversation with your doctor. (iStock)
“A lot of people hear it at one time or another, especially when they’re lying on their side,” Meine told Fox News Digital.
What causes the condition?
Hearing your heartbeat may be related to ear problems, such as wax buildup, fluid in the ear, or other hearing problemsMeine said.
The most common cause is Eustachian tube dysfunction. This is usually due to allergies, according to Jesús Lizarzaburu, MD, a family physician at TPMG Grafton Family Medicine in Yorktown, Virginia.
HALF OF AMERICANS ARE NOT EQUIPPED TO PROVIDE LIFE-SAVING TREATMENTS IN A CRISIS, SURVEY FINDS
“The Eustachian tube connects the middle ear to the back of the nose, and when it’s blocked or doesn’t open and close properly, it can cause the sound of your heartbeat to be heard in your ears,” he told Fox. NewsDigital. .
Another culprit could be earwax buildup, which can also cause a seal in the ear canal that makes the heartbeat easier to hear, Lizarzaburu added.
High blood pressure It is another cause, although less common.

Listening to the heartbeat may be related to ear problems, such as wax buildup, fluid in the ear or other hearing problems, a doctor said. (iStock)
In rare cases, medications such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), antibiotics, diuretics, chemotherapy drugsAspirin, certain antidepressants, quinine and antivirals can cause tinnitus, a ringing in the ears that matches the heartbeat, Lizarzaburu said.
“Extremely rare causes would be an aneurysm (a bulge in a blood vessel in the brain) or a vascular tumor, which is made up of a collection of blood vessels,” he added.
When to seek medical attention
A thorough physical exam, including a blood pressure check and an examination of the carotid arteries in the neck, is an important part of evaluating overall cardiovascular health, Meine said.
CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE TO OUR HEALTH NEWSLETTER
“In addition, ruling out anemia or hyperthyroidism, which could cause increased blood flow and possibly contribute to pulsatile tinnitus, could be evaluated with simple laboratory tests,” he said.
If someone experiences the condition intermittently, it’s probably less concerning, the doctor noted.

One doctor recommended that a complete physical examination, including a blood pressure check and an examination of the carotid arteries in the neck, is an important part of evaluating overall cardiovascular health. (iStock)
“However, if it is persistent or new onset, we would perform a Complete history and physical examination.,” he said.
From a cardiovascular perspective, if someone experiences pulsatile tinnitus or hears the heartbeat in their own ears, Meine said it’s important to rule out any potential cardiovascular problems.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
The doctor will also make sure the patient doesn’t have a blockage or narrowing of the arteries in the neck, which could contribute to louder heart sounds in the ears and head, he said.
“I want to emphasize that most of us occasionally hear our heartbeats in our heads and ears, especially when our heart rate increases. during exercise“Meine said.
For more health articles, visit www.foxnews.com/health.
Source link