Khaberni - For many, bedtime is supposed to be calm and relaxing, but some notice a sound when lying down, regular beats echoing through the pillow. Although this sound may be harmless, doctors confirm that it is not always something to be ignored.
Often, hearing heartbeats when pressing an ear to the pillow is normal.
Dr. Anthony Youn explained that this sound is simply due to the carotid artery, which supplies blood to the brain, face, and neck.
If this happens occasionally, Youn says it's usually normal. The artery passes near the ear, which makes it easier to hear the pulse in certain positions.
Another condition
However, according to "MSN Health", doctors warn that continuous heartbeat sounds may indicate pulsatile tinnitus. Unlike regular tinnitus, which is often more like a ringing or buzzing, pulsatile tinnitus follows the rhythm of the heart.
It is usually described as a rhythmic sound in the ears or head. One way to diagnose pulsatile tinnitus is to check if the sound matches your pulse.
If so, doctors say the condition is often easier to diagnose because it's related to blood flow.
Possible causes
Pulsatile tinnitus typically occurs due to changes in blood flow in the blood vessels near the ear.
These changes may be triggered by strenuous exercise, hyperthyroidism, or irregular blood flow resulting from arterial sclerosis.
In rare cases, it may be associated with the presence of an open fetal artery after birth. It could also be a sign of tumors in the head or neck that cause abnormal blood vessel formation.
This condition can affect anyone, but it is more common among young women and middle-aged women.
Tests and treatment
Doctors often use computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging to determine what's going on inside the head. Blood tests may also be used if there is suspicion of anemia or thyroid problems.
Some causes can be treated, while others cannot.
Sometimes treatments such as sound therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, psychotherapy, mindfulness meditation, and tinnitus retraining therapy are used to manage symptoms.
