Headache and Migraines Forum - Can feel pulse in head

Conditions and Diseases > Headache and Migraines Forum > Can feel pulse in head

How can you tell if a headache is serious, or not? What types of headaches are there? Get started learning the facts about headache here....

Q: Can feel pulse in head

asked by: DoctorQuestion on March 4th, 2009

Hello,

I've been struggling with unusual symptom in my head for over 2 years. I can feel my pulse constantly in my head, I do not hear it, I feel it.

I have undergone many medical tests over these couple of years all of which have been clear including a CT and MRI scan, bloodwork, and neurological tests.

I've recently been back to my GP and he's done another blood test, which was clear.

I am concerned about carotid artery stenosis at the moment, my blood pressure can sometimes be elevated and I'm sure I can hear a bruit in my neck. When I asked the doctor to listen to my neck with a stethoscope he said "what do you want me to listen for". I thought it was quite obvious. When I asked him about any blockages, he laughed and mocked me and explained that headaches would have a very simple cause at my age.

I don't really have any other symptoms, I am a happy and settled 18 year old and otherwise fit and healthy. I try to forget about this but it is very hard. Thanks for your time

Replies(1)

Dr. Goce Aleksovski , MD

replied on March 5th, 2009

Headache and Migraines Answer A5970

Sometimes the artery in the inner ear is twisted in such way that “the pulse might be heard”. You might be mistaking the bruit in the neck with this condition. This is not a serious condition. Since the problem is anatomical, there is not much that can be done. You might want to try some relaxation techniques in order to learn to live with it without giving too much attention.
If a Carotid artery stenosis exists, then a Doppler ultrasound might easily reveal or rule it out.

DISCLAIMER: "Ask a Doctor" questions are answered by certified physicians and other medical professionals who volunteer their time on eHealth Forum. For more information about experts participating in the "Ask a Doctor" Network, please visit our medical experts page. You may also visit our Headache and Migraines , for moderated patient to patient support and information.

The information provided on eHealth Forum is designed to improve, not replace, the relationship between a patient and his/her own physician. Personal consultation(s) with a qualified medical professional is the proper means for diagnosing any medical condition.

This question has been answered by the doctor. This topic is now open for public discussion, however no comments below this point will be answered by a doctor.

Learn About Us

Get Help

Join In

Do More

We comply with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health
information:
verify here.

The site is not a replacement for professional medical opinion, examination, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your medical doctor or other qualified health professional before starting any new treatment or making any changes to existing treatment. Do not delay seeking or disregard medical advice based on information written by any author on this site. No health questions and information on eHealth Forum is regulated or evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and therefore the information should not be used to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease without the supervision of a medical doctor. Posts made to these forums express the views and opinions of the author, and not the administrators, moderators, or editorial staff and hence eHealth Forum and its principals will accept no liabilities or responsibilities for the statements made. Schizophrenia health sitemap.
This page was last updated on January 1, 2009.
© 2008 eForums, Inc