While hearing your heartbeat is generally normal and can indicate healthy bodily function, it is more noticeable during certain situations, such as medical exams or after vigorous physical activities.
However, healthcare professionals have alerted individuals that they may have an underlying health problem if they frequently notice their heartbeat, especially when lying on a pillow.
Dr. Anthony Youn, a Detroit-based physician renowned for sharing health advice on TikTok, from skincare to weight loss, recently addressed this issue.
In his video, he describes the scenario where you might perceive the rhythmic thudding of your heartbeat, likening it to a ‘little person inside your pillow with the bass turned up too loud.’
He clarified that this occurrence is generally normal, stating: “If, every once in a while, you’re laying on your side and you hear your heart beating, it’s most likely your carotid artery basically sitting against your pillow.”
These carotid arteries are major blood vessels that run along each side of the neck and pass near the ears.
Nevertheless, it might be cause for concern if you frequently hear this sound.
Dr. Youn advised his 8.4 million followers that if the noise is constant, whether lying down or upright, it could signal a condition called pulsatile tinnitus.
Penn Medicine defines pulsatile tinnitus as a form of tinnitus where individuals perceive continuous sounds without an external source, often described as buzzing or ringing.
Similarly, pulsatile tinnitus manifests as a rhythmic noise resembling a heartbeat, audible in the head, ears, or both.
Although Dr. Youn emphasized the condition is typically ‘benign’, it’s advisable to consult a healthcare provider as a precaution.
This condition could stem from high blood pressure or indicate rapid blood flow.
It might also be a symptom of atherosclerosis, which is the hardening of arteries where blood flow becomes irregular rather than smooth.
Other potential causes include anemia, pregnancy, or even tumors.