When you go to bed at night, you are used to lying on your side and resting your head on a pillow. It is in this position that you hear a noise that is both dull and rhythmic. What does it correspond to?
The sound of heartbeat heard in the ear
This symptom is common according to American surgeon Anthony Youn, who explains this phenomenon in a TikTok video. “VAre you lying on your side and you hear your heart beating? “It’s very likely that this is your carotid artery.”
The carotid arteries are blood vessels starting from the heart and going up either side of our neck, before passing into our ears. They are responsible for the blood supply to the head, face and neck. It is this blood circulation that we hear then, in these moments.
It can also be “pulsatile tinnitus”, according to the surgeon
Dr. Anthony Youn warns, however. “If you hear your heart beating all the time when you are lying on your side or especially when you are standing up, it could be pulsatile tinnitus.”. Generally, this condition is benign (caused by excessive caffeine consumption, for example), but it can also have more serious origins.
If this noise persists, consult a doctor
Indeed, it can be the sign of a “high blood pressure, atherosclerosis – hardening of the arteries – or abnormal tangle of blood vessels. lists the surgeon. This sound can also occur in cases of hyperthyroidism or in the most serious cases, sign the presence of a tumor (usually benign) of the head or neck.
For what ? Because these lead to the abnormal development of blood vessels and therefore “noisy” blood circulation. If in doubt, it is better to consult a doctor to understand the origin of this noise in your ear.