Dr. Anthony Youn, a Detroit-based physician renowned for his health advice on TikTok, addressed this issue in a recent video. He described how you might hear a rhythmic thudding when your head hits the pillow, comparing it to “a little person inside your pillow with the bass turned up too loud.”
Dr. Youn explained that hearing your heartbeat occasionally while lying down is generally normal. “If you’re lying on your side and hear your heart beating, it’s most likely your carotid artery basically sitting against your pillow,” he said. The carotid arteries are vital blood vessels located along the neck, near the ears, which can amplify the sound of blood flow.
However, the doctor cautioned that if this sound is constant, regardless of your position, it might signal a concerning health issue known as pulsatile tinnitus.
Understanding Pulsatile Tinnitus
According to Penn Medicine, pulsatile tinnitus is a form of tinnitus characterized by rhythmic sounds resembling a heartbeat, which are heard without any external source. This condition may cause noise in the head, ears, or both. Dr. Youn emphasized that while pulsatile tinnitus is often benign, it’s essential to consult a healthcare provider to rule out more serious conditions.
