Overview

Pulsatile tinnitus is a rare form of tinnitus. People who have tinnitus (pronounced “TIN-nite-us” or “TIN-e-tus”) may have constant noise in their heads that no one else hears. They often, but not always, describe it as a ringing sound. People who have pulsatile tinnitus hear noise that may be loud or soft but tends to happen in time with their heartbeats or may sound like a whooshing. Like non-pulsatile tinnitus, pulsatile tinnitus isn’t a condition. It’s a symptom of other disorders. Many times pulsatile tinnitus is a symptom of vascular disease — diseases affecting your veins and arteries — as well as malformations of vascular structures or atypical blood flow near your ear, and in some rare cases, tumors.

How does pulsatile tinnitus affect my body?

Like tinnitus, pulsatile tinnitus may interrupt your ability to concentrate, sleep or work. Some people who have tinnitus or pulsatile tinnitus develop depression or anxiety. Most importantly, pulsatile tinnitus may be a symptom — and your first warning — that you have a serious medical condition.

When should I be concerned about pulsatile tinnitus?

Any sudden unexplained change in your body is reason to contact your healthcare provider. Contact your provider right away if you suddenly hear a rhythmic swooshing sound in your head, hear that sound in one ear only or have other issues like difficulty walking, balance troubles or difficulty seeing.

Is pulsatile tinnitus a common problem?

Pulsatile tinnitus is a rare condition that accounts for about 10% of the estimated 50 million people who have tinnitus.

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Symptoms

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Complications

Blood clots are a dangerous complication of atrial fibrillation (AFib). Blood clots can lead to stroke.
The risk of stroke from AFib increases as you grow older. Other health conditions also may increase the risk of a stroke due to AFib. These conditions include:
  • High blood pressure.
  • Diabetes.
  • Heart failure.
  • Some types of heart valve disease.
Blood thinners are commonly prescribed to prevent blood clots and strokes in people with atrial fibrillation.

Prevention

Healthy lifestyle choices can reduce the risk of heart disease and may prevent atrial fibrillation (AFib). Here are some basic heart-healthy tips:
  • Control high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes.
  • Don't smoke or use tobacco.
  • Eat a diet that's low in salt and saturated fat.
  • Exercise at least 30 minutes a day on most days of the week unless your health care team says not to.
  • Get good sleep. Adults should aim for 7 to 9 hours daily.
  • Maintain a healthy weight.
  • Reduce and manage stress.


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