Noisy nights: Understanding the heartbeat in your ears
Has it ever happened to you that after a long day, as you lay down to sleep, you heard the unsettling sound of a loudly beating heart that kept you awake? Where does this come from, and should you be worried?
Sometimes, it’s merely annoying, while at other times, it can make falling asleep difficult or even impossible. Late at night, when everything around is blissfully quiet, a pulsing, thumping, or humming sound reminiscent of a rhythmic heartbeat is usually heard. However, this symptom should not be ignored, as it may indicate health issues.
Heartbeat "in the ears" while lying down
Have you ever wondered why you hear your heartbeat while usually lying on your side? If this happens occasionally, it's normal and not a cause for concern. A pulsing noise in the ears is typically described as hearing the heart's rhythm, which is not accidental. It results from faster blood flow through the veins and arteries near the ears.
Dr. Anthony Youn, a surgeon, compared the noise heard in the ears to an annoying bass that's "just too loud" and interferes with normal functioning. It turns out the cause is simple.
- If, every once in a while, you’re lying on your side and you hear your heart beating, it’s most likely your carotid artery basically sitting against your pillow - he emphasized.
The carotid artery plays an extremely important role in the body. It supplies blood and oxygen to the brain and all parts of the face, head, and neck. When sleeping on your side, the carotid artery is near the pillow, so the thumping sound is just the natural rhythm of blood flowing through the blood vessels.
When should the heartbeat audible in the ears concern us?
Dr. Youn explains that we might be worried if hearing the heartbeat happens repeatedly while lying down (and also during normal daily activities) and keeps recurring. In such a case, a chronic pulsing sound may indicate tinnitus caused by various conditions.
The causes can include severe stress, atherosclerosis (the characteristic thumping heard in the ears occurs when arterial light is narrowed due to plaque buildup), high blood pressure, anemia, or hyperthyroidism (the pulsating noise in the ears is caused by a rapid heartbeat and accelerated blood flow).
Harvard Health states, "it’s usually benign, there are some potentially concerning causes, so it’s best to see your doctor."
