Achy Breaky Heart - my organ, not some fickle relationship

[Bobbi]

I'm perplexed or pondering: Why so I can literally hear blood squishing through my heart at times lately. I do not have hypertension; as a fact, I have documented low BP, low or slow pulse rate (odd to me since I'm not athletic), and stay well-hydrated, etc.

I do have heart probs. but never experienced being able to hear blood pulsing or whatever that squishing/flowing sound is in the heart until recently. I up'd the beta blocker (as my cardio. doc advised according to symptoms that could arise).

I tried searching to see why so some things happen within the heart, only, didn't find a lot - not related to hypertension and a doc hearing it or cardio myopathy. I'm not hypersensitive or listening for "weird" things. I awaken and can hear that blood flow and it scares the crap outta me. I've adapted by leaving the sound on on the TV at night so I do not hear the stuff when I wake up.

I know that, at times, I can see my heart beating, and my cardio. man explained why it happens. I try to keep my thoughts in-check and not focus on anything to better keep stuff from spiraling out of control or to a panic. So far, so good :).

But... I am wondering what is going on and if my heart and its sucky valves are worsening. I see my cardio. doc in a few weeks, unless this continues and I just can't stand it any more (then, I will ask for an earlier appt.).

I just wish I knew the term(s) for it.

[Gimpy]

Bobbi -

First, this may or not be going on with you. But, I have that problem too and so does my sister. It has been explained it's because the artery in our heads is very close to the ear canal so we can hear it as the blood rushes through and thus, the pounding of the heart. I didn't have it all my life either, it started over the last 5 years or so. It's creepy to say the least.

So, that's the explanation I got after extensive cardio testing. It may or may not be valid and may very well be line of garbage, but I bought it.

Hope it helps!

Linda

[Nana4&cntn]

Linda,

I am glad to have read your post before I wrote, Bobbi, I have the same thing Linda does. I also used to wake during the night, but that was anxiety. I usually notice the swoosh/flow as I am going to sleep, so I do as you do, only I set the timer to shut the TV off after an hour.

Bobbi, it is funny I thought I was weird and was reluctant to mention it to the doc. He explained it close to the same as Linda did.

I hope this helps, but you should mention it to your doc, and have it checked out just in case it isn't what Linda or I have.

Take care,
Kathy

[Tbackpain1]

I'll chime in here and third the opinions about hearing the blood swishing through your system. There are quite a few blood vessels that run around your ear, see: http://www.med.mun.ca/anatomyts/head/cbv.htm

Sometimes the sound can be transmitted through your pillow. I know when I sleep on my side, I can always hear the swish of the carotid arteries through the pillow, but to me, its a very comforting noise. When I need to relax, I will actually take my own pulse and "turn inward", meditating and lowering my heart rate and breathing, and usually drifting off to sleep after a bit. I know, I'm wierd. But for me, it works...its a technique both my yogi and my bio-feedback instructors felt would help me "center" myself and be able to better control my pain.

Take it easy Bobbi. Be careful with upping your beta-blocker. The last time they did that with me for the PSVT, I ended up passing out alot because my BP got too low. Don't change positions to quickly (orthostatic hypotension) and just take care of yourself. <<<HUGS>>>

Theresa

[Mark N]

Bobbi, I read your post and didn't really know how to answer so it was good to see the three posters before me. They at least have one answer that might be your condition and I hope it gives you some peace of mind until your cardio appointment.

Kathy, Gimpy, and Theresa who would have guessed that an unusual condition like Bobbi's would find three of you with the same thing that might fits her symptom.

[Kathi49]

I am late to this too. :o

Bobbi, I don't know what to think of it other than what Theresa posted. When my cervical pain was so bad (before surgeries) I would hear that same wooshing sound and my heartbeart ..as she says...through the pillow. I complained about it alot and thought there was something wrong with my arteries. But the docs said the same thing Theresa just said. I don't know...it probably was anxiety too. But it all stopped after the first surgery. I hope the cardio doc will be able to set your mind at ease.

[Tbackpain1]

Hey Bobbi,

I just wanted to add something, with regard to the heart murmur. It would be pretty unlikely for you to be able to hear your heart murmur unassisted by a stethescope. Even a grade 6/6 murmur can't be heard without a stethescope, even though the stethescope is placed slightly above the chest wall.

As long as what you're hearing is regular and rhythmic...no irregularities, then there's really nothing to worry about.

Also, remember too that the bones in our skull transmit sound. On the diagram on the link, you can see that there are a couple of blood vessels that run very close to your external auditory meatus (ear hole), and the temporal bone itself plays some role in transmitting sound.

Theresa

[Bobbi]

When my heart makes the loud, squishing sounds, it doesn't seem like the noise is resonating close to my ears or neck or inside my head (vessels), but from within my heart itself. I can literally see it beating irregularly, too, as the creepy sounds are ongoing. The cardio. doc had told me that the valves backfeed when blood should be flowing outward. That's sorta what I was thinking I can hear; it's loud and freaky.

In the past, when I could see the descending (?) aorta - heck, it may have been ascending - moving (rising and falling), the cardio. doc ordered the loop back monitor that I had worn for over 30 days.

This started in the past week.

I'm trying to keep my mind from thinking about it. Because my next appointment is not too very far off, I'd like to hold off on calling the doc. He had said, last appt., that the next test (for making sure he stays on top of monitoring) is for a nuclear scan.

I sure hope some of this makes sense. :o

[Mark N]

Bobbi, your post makes sense to me but that isn't much consolation as I often don't make much sense myself. I hope you hold it together until the doctor appointment. Maybe after the appointment you will have an answer or will have a new test to find out what the answer is.

[Bobbi]

Here's the update. I had an appointment with my cardio doc today. He said, it's not blood vessels near my ears or anything or that what I'm hearing is blood flowing through the vessels.

It's arrhythmia (not due to high B.P. or clogged arteries). He said that other women patients have experienced the same; they can actually hear and see their heart moving. He's ordered a 21-day loop back monitor. It should be here in a day or two. I thought he was joking when he said that some people die from arrhythmias (not that he's cold-hearted or anything, yet we do banter at times).

Some man - and I don't know his name or professional title - was at the office from the company providing the monitor. He explained how it works and its advantages over the last monitor I wore. It records at random - in the event a patient "forgets" to record.

My PCP had told me earlier this week that cardio doc might want to "up" the dosage of beta blocker. Not yet. I see him again next month for the results.

[debhun]

I too can hear the flow of my heart. But I started when I was in my teens. I am use to it now and it don't bother me. But I can't have a clock or watch in my bedroom. I can hear it ticking and it will drive my nuts. I think cause it sounds like a heart beating. Okay I am nuts.

Deb

[Bobbi]

I also don't have a ticking clock near where I sleep :D. I just don't sleep as well with a clock nearby and I don't feel well if I wake by an alarm.

The cardio. doc did ask if I snore. That's a lot like asking me if I swear in my sleep (something I had also posted about). :eek: I've been told that, when I'm exhausted or in an unfamiliar setting, I do tend to snore lightly but I also sleep with my eyes partially open.

Anyway, his point was: People who snore and also have arrhythmias have a higher rate of possible devastating effects: Death.

The monitoring company called this morning; FedEx should be delivering it in the morning. I've a 5 p.m. appointment to do the set up and testing. It's supposed to take about 30 mins. Last monitoring, the doc set it up. I guess I'll find out right away if I've not done the electrodes correctly and make the fix.

[Bobbi]

This round of monitoring is not going very smoothly :(. I'm now feeling grumpy. The why's:

The battery on the sensor, which has to be replaced every other day, doesn't fit the sensor's casing very well so that the backing or cover stays affixed. A tech. (with the monitoring company) instructed me to "tape it" in-place. The tape is so darn'd irritating to my skin and ... not easy to remove.

It wouldn't be so bad if triple digit temps. hadn't arrived or if my A/C would be more cooperative. The monitor, which is a cell phone, beeps when the sensor's battery must be replaced (or risk the loss of data). The unit arrived one battery short, and, if the temps. also mean having to replace the battery each day, this just will not add up to a 21-day monitoring.

I wish I had known the cell or monitor's carrier service company in advance. There is barely service in my rural area; the cell phone choices are extremely ltd. because of the signals.

To send a reading, which is done daily and also when there is a symptom "event," I have to be near a window and practically juggle everything. If there are not enough signals (3 or 4, I was told), I have to hook-up and use the monitor's modem.

My A/C determined this is the ideal time to go nutso on me again. The cool temp. inside today? 83 :(. Thus, the sensor's electrode kept un-sticking. The electrodes will be in good company with the batteries; I'm going to run out!

There is a bit of good news. The A/C company is coming on Monday. They wanted to come Wednesday but that was before a friend grabbed the phone and said... "as far-fetched as this might sound" and told them about my heart monitoring. Musta worked since the appointment was changed to Monday :).

When this is all said-n-done, I'm going to be minus skin, but elated - that it's over! :D

[Mark N]

Bobbi, I am glad your doctor had an answer for you and a test to check it out. Sorry to hear the test hasn't started out very good so far. So to get a stronger signal do you juggle chainsaws or the old stand by tennis balls:D; so I couldn't pass up the juggling comment.

I hope the 21 days go without any major set back and you get the answers needed to treat your heart condition.

[Bobbi]

:D ... Progress... :D

A new monitor and hypoallergenic electrodes are being shipped and should arrive within two days - along with additional batteries.

A tech said it sounds like something is wrong in the way the sensor (I'm wearing) was manufactured. The battery cover should just snap in-place.

I've tried to eliminate skin irritation around the sensor by using bandaids (instead of tape - so that the adhesive and cover can be removed easier and more readily for making battery changes), but, it's not helped.


May as well be juggling either, at this point, Mark :eek:.

The cell has to stay within 10 feet of me at all times. It works great as long as it's clipped to my waistband. But to report a reading and manage the monitor, along with having to "hunt" a window that enables the signals needed, well... I'm just worn out (as is my skin at this point).

[Mark N]

Bobbi, it is good to hear you are making progress getting the monitor fixed up the right way. Sorry to hear you are worn out, I hope you get some rest tonight.

You have a real talent if you can juggle chainsaws:p.

[Bobbi]

Starting Over. Yep, that's what my cardiologist said today. The testing that was/maybe/could've been done since Friday? Gone. He wants the 21-day to count beginning once the new monitor is setup; 4 days of wearing the dreadful thing was for? Learning patience?

If the new monitor has the same prob., he wants to know right away. And, he's not heard any other patient having the prob., though that doesn't mean it hasn't happened.

I thought about taking a wait-n-see approach. If the new monitor is fine, cool. But, the more thought I gave it, I realized: Even if other patients didn't find it irritating, etc., to have to tape the sensor's battery, doing so could possibly compromise the quality of data being reported/received. I don't know if that's very favorable - for heart patients :eek:. So, I decided to let him know, regardless of how the new monitor works (or may not). I can imagine being mute (due to a medical condition) and someone else hooking me up to a monitor like the one I received. No one would else would feel how it feels - if they can't speak or communicate. Since I know, I decided: Tell him so that other patients are not potentially suffering (thanks to all the irritating tape and electrode pads).

Asking any heart patient to wear a faulty monitoring device just ain't right.

[Bobbi]

After the new monitor arrives, I send the flawed one back to the monitoring company (pre-paid shipping).

Y'know how some highlight a body part prior to surgery? Since I've been using bandaides on the sensor anyway, I added a li'l note highlighting the prob. area (the battery casing). I think, now they'll find the problem :D:

[Bobbi]

Another detour: The monitor has had a major failure. It ain't working. The monitoring company is sending a new one tomorrow; it should arrive in a day or two... and, I try once again.:eek:

Maybe my doc might wish to do a repeat; I know I'm extremely leary of the readings/possible results, considering the monitors have had problems since day-one.

[Nana4&cntn]

Bobbi,

You sure are having a time with that monitor! I would think there may be a different companies monitor that was more reliable. 21 days is along time and especially if you have to keep starting over. I hope the next one does its job, with n0 hitches!

Take care,
Kathy

[Bobbi]

Maybe, Kathy, it'll be as the adage suggests and the third time could be the charm :rolleyes:.

I am going to send the unit (whichever one is here at the time) back on June 11 - regardless. If this one doesn't work as it possibly should (beats me how well it should work at this point), I'm going to ask my doc about using the type he issued the last (lengthy) time he had me wearing a monitor. Didn't seem to have probs. with that one; the flaw was early on and in my initial understanding of when to depress the alert button. After he explained it more, there were no probs.