From the Guidelines
Hearing your heartbeat in your ears, especially in quiet environments like when going to bed at night, is typically caused by a condition called pulsatile tinnitus, which is often associated with high blood pressure, blood vessel abnormalities, or changes in the ear's ability to conduct sound, as noted in the most recent study 1.
Causes of Pulsatile Tinnitus
The causes of pulsatile tinnitus can be varied, including:
- High blood pressure
- Blood vessel abnormalities, such as narrowed arteries or abnormal connections between arteries and veins
- Increased blood flow due to anemia or hyperthyroidism
- Changes in the ear's ability to conduct sound
Diagnosis and Treatment
To address this issue, first try lifestyle modifications such as:
- Reducing salt intake
- Limiting caffeine and alcohol consumption
- Managing stress through relaxation techniques If these don't help, consult a healthcare provider as medication for underlying conditions may be necessary, such as antihypertensive medications like amlodipine (5-10mg daily) or lisinopril (10-40mg daily) for high blood pressure, as suggested by previous studies 1.
When to Seek Medical Attention
This symptom warrants medical attention if it's:
- Persistent
- Occurs only on one side
- Accompanied by dizziness, hearing loss, or headaches as it could indicate a more serious condition requiring specific treatment, as highlighted in the guidelines for managing patients with supraventricular arrhythmias 1.
From the FDA Drug Label
The FDA drug label does not answer the question.
From the Research
Possible Causes of Hearing Heartbeat in Ears
- There are no direct research papers to assist in answering this question, as the provided studies focus on hypertension, anemia, and echocardiography, rather than the specific phenomenon of hearing one's heartbeat in their ears.
- However, it can be inferred that certain conditions, such as anemia 2 or heart failure 3, may affect the cardiovascular system and potentially lead to unusual sensations or perceptions, including hearing one's heartbeat.
- Additionally, studies on electrocardiography 4 and echocardiography 5 suggest that cardiovascular health can impact various aspects of cardiac function, which may be related to the sensation of hearing one's heartbeat.
Related Factors
- Hypertension, as discussed in several studies 2, 4, 5, 6, can have various effects on the cardiovascular system, but its direct relationship to hearing one's heartbeat is unclear.
- Anemia and iron deficiency, as mentioned in 3, can influence cardiovascular function and may contribute to unusual sensations or perceptions, including hearing one's heartbeat.
- The provided studies do not offer a clear explanation for the phenomenon of hearing one's heartbeat, particularly in quiet environments like at night.