If you have ever wondered, “Why am I hearing the sound of a heartbeat from my stomach?” then you are not alone.
Let us put your baffled mind at ease by telling you that it is completely normal.
When you say that you can hear a heartbeat sound from your tummy, you are most likely just feeling your own pulse in the abdominal aorta. The aorta is the primary artery of our body that does the job of carrying the blood from your heart and transferring it to your entire body.
It begins its way from your heart and runs down towards your chest’s centermost part, finally making its way into your abdomen.
While it is okay to feel the blood running through this huge artery every now and then, in some cases, it can indicate something more alarming.
Scroll through the article to know everything about why you might feel like your stomach is beating like a heart, and when it can be a sign of an underlying condition. Suffering from eye pain, find out more here.
Pulse Points in Our Bodies
Whenever our hearts pump out blood, the arteries in our bodies continuously expand and contract, that movement is referred to as our pulse. Biologically speaking, the primary function of the pulse is to determine our heart rate, which can be defined as the number of times our hearts beat every minute.
If you have ever had a healthcare provider check your pulse, you may know that they also gauge the strength and rhythm of your heartbeat, in addition to determining if the blood vessels are soft or hard.
The spots where one can detect the pulse are usually known as the pulse points, and there are plenty of them in our bodies.
Some of the most common pulse points are as follows:
- Posterior Tibial Artery: Present on the inside of the ankle
- Dorsalis Pedis Artery: Present on top of the foot
- Popliteal Artery: Located above the knee, and detected by holding a bent knee
- Femoral Artery: Present towards the inside of the inner thigh
- Radial and Ulnar Arteries: Located over the wrists
- Brachial Artery: Present on the upper arm, beside the elbow
- Carotid Artery: Present on both the sides of your neck
- Temporal Artery: Present on the temple in front of your ear
The reason why you can sense a pulse in each of these spots is that these arteries run in close proximity to the skin, and are compressed by a rigid structure underneath. This is why many healthcare providers typically check your pulse at your neck or wrist.
Here’s How You Can Check Your Pulse
You do not need an expert to check your pulse, because you can easily do it by yourself.
Below, we have listed three simple steps that will guide you to take your carotid pulse:
Step 1: Take your middle and index fingers and lightly press them into the groove positioned near your windpipe, on any of the sides of your neck.
Step 2: Take the help of a watch or a stopwatch on your phone, and keep a count of the number of beats you detect in 30 seconds.
Step 3: Double the same number.
For adults, a normal resting pulse ranges somewhere between 60 to 100 beats per minute. Additionally, it should also feel steady with a regular interval between two simultaneous beats.
In case you feel like there was an extra beat or a beat was skipped, it is normally harmless and quite common. However, in case you come through some major irregularities, it is always best to talk to your doctor.
Feeling a Heartbeat in Your Stomach
Picking up on a pulse in your stomach is quite normal because what you are detecting is the pulse present in your abdominal aorta. As we mentioned, this is the main artery that takes up blood from your heart and carries it to the rest of your body.
Studies reveal that you are most likely to feel a pulse in your stomach during three different scenarios:
- During pregnancy – When it comes to pregnant ladies, the quantity of blood being carried around throughout your body increases. Subsequently, as your heart pumps more blood with each heartbeat, the pulse in your abdominal aorta appears to be more noticeable.
- When you are lying down – You can also feel a pulse in your stomach whenever you lie down and raise the knees. So, if your body does not bear as much abdominal fat, you can even see that pulse.
- During or after eating – When or after you are eating, your heart pumps excess blood to your small interstine and stomach through the abdominal aorta. This, in turn, facilitates digestion and the absorption of nutrients. This brief surge can cause a more prominent pulse in the stomach.
Sometimes, observing a sound of a pulse in your stomach can indicate a serious issue. This is why, it is always best to seek immediate attention it comes to light, in addition to other symptoms such as pain in your back, side, or abdomen.
This is particularly crucial if you happen to have pre-existing conditions such as blood vessel diseases, a recent traumatic injury, a history of aortic infections, an episode of abdominal aortic aneurysms, or persistent high blood pressure.
Let’s Sum It Up
With all the amazing things our bodies do to keep us alive, we basically have superpowers from head to toe! While hearing a beating sound in your stomach might catch you off guard, it’s likely the pulse in your abdominal aorta and perfectly normal, especially if you happen to be under the age of 50.
However, if it is accompanied by distress in the abdominal area or you have a history of aortic aneurysms in your family, always make sure to check with a doctor.