Why do I feel like I can hear my heartbeat in my ears?

You may have experienced your heart pounding in your chest after intense exercise or measured your pulse by placing your fingers on your wrist or neck.

The sensation of hearing your heartbeat in your ears is less common and can be startling.

Two doctors were contacted by Planet Chronicle Digital to provide insights on the causes of this and to determine if it poses a concern.

The sensation of hearing your heartbeat in your ears, commonly referred to as "pulsatile tinnitus," may not always indicate a medical issue, but it's worth discussing with your doctor, advises Frederick James Meine, M.D., an interventional cardiologist at Novant Health in Wilmington, North Carolina.

Meine stated to Planet Chronicle Digital that many individuals experience it at some point, often while lying on their side.

What causes the condition?

Ear issues such as wax buildup, fluid in the ear, or other hearing problems can be related to hearing your heartbeat, according to Meine.

Eustachian tube dysfunction is the most common cause, often resulting from allergies, according to Jesus Lizarzaburu, M.D., a family physician at TPMG Grafton Family Medicine in Yorktown, Virginia.

The Eustachian tube links the middle ear to the back of the nose, and when it becomes obstructed or fails to open and close correctly, it can result in the sound of one's heartbeat being heard in the ears, as stated by the individual to Planet Chronicle Digital.

Earwax buildup can also create a seal in the ear canal, making the heartbeat easier to hear, Lizarzaburu stated.

Elevated blood pressure is another cause, though less common.

Lizarzaburu noted that certain medications, including NSAIDs, antibiotics, diuretics, chemotherapy drugs, aspirin, antidepressants, quinine, and antivirals, can cause tinnitus, a ringing in the ears that matches the heartbeat.

He stated that aneurysms (bulges in brain blood vessels) and vascular tumors (collections of blood vessels) are extremely rare causes.

When to seek medical attention

My advice is that a comprehensive physical examination, which includes a blood pressure check and an inspection of the carotid arteries in the neck, is crucial for assessing overall cardiovascular health.

He stated that evaluating the possibility of anemia or hyperthyroidism, which could cause increased blood flow and contribute to pulsatile tinnitus, could be done through simple lab tests.

If someone experiences a condition intermittently, it is less likely to be a cause for concern, the doctor noted.

If the condition is persistent or new-onset, we will conduct a comprehensive history and physical examination, he stated.

It's crucial to rule out any potential cardiovascular issues if someone is experiencing pulsatile tinnitus or hearing their heartbeat in their own ears, according to Meine.

The doctor would ensure that the patient does not have a blockage or narrowing of the neck arteries, which could cause louder heart sounds in the ears and head, the doctor stated.

Meine emphasized that most people experience their heartbeats in their heads and ears at times, particularly when their heart rate increases during physical activity.

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