Is it normal to see your heart beat in your stomach? When I lie on my back, you can see it beat about naval level pretty much on both sides. I've never noticed this before, but I don't often see my stomach. I am 43, have 4 kids and am thin, so maybe it's a stomach muscle thing?
Most people who experienced heart beating in their stomach and who discussed this problem on SteadyHealth, noticed it while lying down or sitting, while few reported to have it even when standing. The heartbeat was described as a pulsing or throbbing in the navel area. They wondered if this heartbeat feeling is common. The member who started the discussion asked:
Is it normal to see your heart beat in your stomach?
Others joined in with their questions, or to provide possible causes for visible heartbeat in the stomach.
Most user reported no other problems. Those who did, indicated several conditions that may be related to visible heartbeat in their stomach, including:
- anxiety
- irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
- spine problems
Many suggested that a heartbeat felt in the abdomen could also indicate an abdominal aneurysm which can be very dangerous, especially if it ruptures, in which case it can be fatal. They advised all who have this problem to seek urgent medical care. There were several teenagers who joined the discussion experiencing the same problem. One of them asked:
Im 18 And I feel heart beat in my stomach everyday and for along time it wont go away what does that mean?
Since aortic aneurysm is rarely seen in childhood, this makes the issue of visible heartbeat in stomach and the possible causes behind it more complex.
What do experts say?
Feeling a pulse in your stomach can be alarming. However, it’s usually not anything to worry about. People experience this are most likely just feeling their pulse in their abdominal aorta -the main artery that carries blood from the heart to the rest of the body. Feeling blood pumping through this large artery is normal from time to time. However, it’s sometimes a sign of something more serious, especially if it occurs suddenly.
Common causes of pulsating feeling in the stomach may include:
- Pregnancy may cause a pulsating in the stomach due to the amount of blood circulating around the body significantly increases. As more blood is being pumped with each heartbeat, the pulse in the abdominal aorta may be more noticeable.
- Pulse after eating occurs because the body pumps extra blood to the stomach and small intestine through the aorta to help digest food and absorb energy and nutrients.
- Laying down may cause a feeling of pulse in the abdomen, especially in thin persons who don’t have a lot of abdominal fat, who might even be able to see their stomach pulsating. This is completely normal and should go away after standing up.
When it is abdominal aortic aneurysm?
Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is an enlarged area near the bottom part of the aorta which, in the majority of cases, develops slowly with no symptoms or only minor symptoms, such as a gnawing feeling around the stomach or a throbbing sensation in the abdomen. A ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm can cause life-threatening bleeding. Some aneurysms will never rupture. If the abdominal aortic aneurysm has been suspected it is vital to seek medical help because of the unpredictable course of this condition, i.e. how fast AAA may expand over time.
As an abdominal aortic aneurysm enlarges, some people may notice pulsating feeling in their stomach near the navel (belly button). A pulsating mass in the abdomen may be felt through the skin, and may be sensitive to touch or pressure.
Besides pulsating feeling, symptoms of abdominal aortic rupture can also include:
- A stabbing, continuous pain located deep in the abdomen between the sternum and the belly button, or on the side of the abdomen. The pain can be so severe making it difficult to stand or straighten the upper body.
- Lower back pain that occurs when the abdominal pain radiates into the low back due to the aorta’s proximity to the spine. This pain can also spread to the groin, pelvis, or legs.
- Low blood pressure (hypotension) may occur if AAA is ruptured causing blood loss. Hypotension can cause additional symptoms such as lightheadedness, nausea,vomiting, blurred vision, and confusion.
- Shock may also be present when AAA is ruptured and internal bleeding occurs. Shock may include symptoms such as a sudden and rapid heartbeat, shallow breathing, clammy skin and cold sweats, general weakness,, confusion, agitations or anxiety, and losing consciousness.
All these symptoms usually develop once the aneurysm has ruptured or is expanding quickly, hence they indicate an emergency which requires prompt medical attention. Delay in treatment can lead to fatal internal bleeding.
Abdominal aortic aneurysms occur most often in males of age 65 and older, and those who smoke tobacco.
To diagnose an abdominal aortic aneurysm, doctors may do following:
- Review your medical and family history
- Perform a physical examination where they may try to recreate sensitivity to touch or pressure or pain in your abdomen to confirm the presence of an abdominal aortic aneurysm
- Order abdominal ultrasound which is the most commonly used test to diagnose abdominal aortic aneurysms
- Order computerized tomography (CT) scan that will provide your doctor with clear images of your aorta, and it help detect the size and shape of an aneurysm
- Order magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) which also helps diagnose an aneurysm and determine its size and location.
The goal of treatment is to prevent the aneurysm from rupturing. Generally, your treatment options are medical monitoring or surgery. A decision which one will be used depends on the size of the aortic aneurysm and how fast it's growing.
Sources:
Discussion highlights
Questions people ask about visible heartbeat in their stomach
- Is it normal to see your heart beat in your stomach?
- I am 43, have 4 kids and am thin, so maybe it's a stomach muscle thing?
- Could the immense pain in my reproductive organs and the huge pulse in my belly be a really bad thing?
- Iv noticed a beat on my stomach to when i lie on my back why is this happening is this normal?
- Can it be found with an ECG?
- And is it a bad sign if the pulse gets larger?
- but getting more concerned about a possible aneurysm?
- I was wondering to those who could see their stomache pulsing did it eventually go with time ?
- When I was pregnant I developed a tachycardia.
- Can this be related to this?
- Hey I'm 12 turnin 13 and i can feel a heartbeat in my stomach every 1 second is this bad?
- Any answers to my question?
- What about if u had it when u are a baby?
- So do I or do I.
- Ot go to the doctor if I see a beat around my stomach?
- are u sexually active
- Is it a symptom from the surgery or nothing.
- I am wondering because I have a follow up appt.
- in June and wondering if I should bring this up?
- Could someone please tell me whats going on?
- I'm not thin though,I weigh 133-135lb,is this normal?
- I'm 13 and I have the same thing I'm not sure if it's normal for this age
- Is that normal?
- More specifically, when tour heart beats is it able to move your breast?
- Im 19 and i smocked cigarettes and i have i beat in the right side of my stomach and noon in my chest i dont have high blood pressure but what is this im haveing in my stomach i quite smocking about two months ago just wandering
- Is it normal?
- Or are you pregnant?
- Does your tum my bigger?
- Thank you soooo much, I was really worried it was something serious - I have anxiety too, so maybe related to that?
- my stomach beats like a heart often times.is it normal
- What to do if you are 15 year old and you been poorly are when you lie on you front you can hear you heart beating
- Im 18 And I feel heart beat in my stomach everyday and for along time it wont go away what does that mean?
What advice people gave about visible heartbeat in their stomach?
- stress has an almost unbelievable effect on the body and while you are stressed all the things you describe can be side effects that snowball over time.
- You should really consider talking to your doctor.
- The problem was an Abdominal Aortic Aneurysym.
- This is a serious condition!
- A heartbeat felt in the abdomen could also indicate an abdominal aneurysm which can be very dangerous, esp if it ruptures it can be fatal.
- Also I have IBS and whenever I get stomach pain it is always that.
- I've had this for some time now and when I went to my doctor , she said, it's my aorta and you can see it more in thinner people
- it's totally normal to see your aorta pulse in your stomach especially if you're thin.
- I have this pulse also like a heart beat in my stomach, I was looking at some comments some people say it's dangerous and should get it checked out straight away.
- My dad had AAA it was detected when he was in his sixties and apparently it had been growing for years IT TAKES A LONG TIME.
- Bottom line is you most likely don't have an AAA if you are young.
- Your body actually produces poisonous chemicals while you are stressed that build up over time and can cause symptoms even worse then what you already have.
- Many people can maintain themselves by doing daily meditation sessions (to help with stress) and/or yoga (to improve stamina, detox the body, and improve blood flow) and and if you dont have time, MAKE IT.
- if that is what you are left with then ask your doctor about possible medications to safely lower your stress levels
- It can get serious I think that is you aepora and if it ruptures you will need medical attention fast cuz it is deadly
- Use extreme caution if when having anal sex with someone who's penis is longer than 8" and you souldn't take the whole thing inside of your anus without slowly working your way up to it.
- Try taking an ince more every other week until you're totally comfortable phyically with doing so, but still use lots of lube and take it slow.
- Ask your Dr.
- to give you a simple CAT Scan or Ultra Sound.
- They can fix the AAA now with Stents and your home the following day as long as you find them before to long and the AAA gets to big.
- Get yourself checked.
- ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Anita, Your more than likely fine but just ask your Dr.
- at your next physical.
- What you are describing isn't anything bad, don't worry.
- You have a major artery in your stomach.
- it is not anything out of the ordinary to feel your heart beat in your stomach, it's just like being able to feel it in your wrist or in the artery in your neck.
- You have very large veins there.
- I've spoken to my physician about it and made it seem like there was no cause for concern but always ask your health care provider to be sure!
- don't worry,,,, thereis a big artery lied on the posterior wall of abdomen called abdomenal aorta , so its pulsation can be observed over the skin.
- You should have your thyroid levels checked.
- **Aorta** Don't fix what you cannot spell because until you tried, we all assumed it was a typo.
- I think you mean aorta.
- Physician even told me it's normal to see stomach resembling heart beat since I'm thin.
- always ask your dr.
- on anything.
- It's better to know that to be dead and sorry.
- It is aorta
- Lol I'm 13 and it is normal I went to the doctors and they said it was fine and had nothing to worry about
- This is not always true.
- its just yor artery the strongest vein in the body so you dont have to worry.
- yeah it is normal its just your artery :)
- Guys I doubt it is anything to worry about, I've had a pulsing in my stomach since I can remember and always thought it was normal.
- Now I know it is a pulse from the aorta.
- But like I said, had it since I can remember and I'm perfectly fine so I doubt it is anything.
- It is not a reliable symptom of an AAA in my opinion.
- And besides it is s rare condition that typically effects men in their sixties or older, so really stop worrying, stress don't help.
- I have a slight curve in my spine that can cause back pain when lying down, I would not be surprised if that can make the normal aorta Pulse more visible when lying down.
- So like I said it really is nothing to worry about and I only suggest checking it out if you have other symptoms alongside it or/and you are a make in the sixties or older.
- I am thin, 5'8" 120 lbs, and they said they see that often in thinner people.
- I've just read that it can also be a symptom of an otherwise unknowable aortic aneurysm.
- O see this on my own body gr the first time recently.
- See a doctor
- I have this aswell I'm 13 and I don't know what to do I told my mum and she said it's nothing but to be sure she took me to the doc and they said it's nothing and the checked my urine and did a blood test and found nothing so I'm definitely not pregnant idk what to do it's freaking me out I never had this before I'm sooo scared that I cried and told my mum and she said stop worrying it's nothing so I think you should tell your mum it helps you calm down a little
When the heartbeat in stomach usually occurs?
- I find that when I lie on my belly it sometimes hurts and i get short of breath .
- It also hurts if i suck in my belly.
- I have had what I thought was the stomach flu (Vomiting, diarrhea, fever ect.) But now, I can see my heartmeat in my stomach.
- I had noticed a heartbeat in the naval area but recently when I am stressed it is more dominat.
- I had a point where is I ate I would get sick so I couldnt eat and keep anything down for 3 months.
- I am constantly in an anxiety ridden stress state and always worrying about one thing or another so to me all this is just anxiety.
- I can see it wen I'm sitting or laying.
- Sometimes wen I'm standing.
- I have had the same thing going on for years.
- When i lie on my back I can see a beat around my belly button.
- I went to the doctors every 2 weeks then all of a sudden I was fine again.
- I have been stressed put more lately with work.
- When I tend to get uspet the only time i can feel my heartbeat is in my stomach.
- When I was pregnant I developed a tachycardia.
- Also I am having a hard time with keeping weight on as well as putting it on.
- My dad had AAA it was detected when he was in his sixties and apparently it had been growing for years IT TAKES A LONG TIME.
- Youre aorta is not going to just explode.
- I have this same thing and have been freaking out about it tons recently and I'm started to realize I am noticing this because I AM TRYING TO NOTICE IT.
- stress has an almost unbelievable effect on the body and while you are stressed all the things you describe can be side effects that snowball over time.
- Your body actually produces poisonous chemicals while you are stressed that build up over time and can cause symptoms even worse then what you already have.
- Your health can be one of the most stressful things to deal with ESPECIALLY when you have kids to worry about as well.
- Working with your doctor on your health, even if there are no real answers, can be very reassuring thus reducing your stress so you actually improve.
- Many people can maintain themselves by doing daily meditation sessions (to help with stress) and/or yoga (to improve stamina, detox the body, and improve blood flow) and and if you dont have time, MAKE IT.
- Some people have mood and stress disorders that make it harder to lower stress with meditation and yoga alone.
- if that is what you are left with then ask your doctor about possible medications to safely lower your stress levels
- Hey I'm 12 turnin 13 and i can feel a heartbeat in my stomach every 1 second is this bad?
- It can get serious I think that is you aepora and if it ruptures you will need medical attention fast cuz it is deadly
- It is not common to have a heart beat in your stomach.
- As a floor nurse in the ER, that's how we detect AAA.
- My father also has this condition and wil be treated next week for it.
- You should really consider talking to your doctor.
- My doctor told me were are a number of things that could've caused this to hapened and that my abdominal aortic aneurysm was most likely was caused from having anal sex with my boyfriend.
- Because he has an extremely long & fat penis and we engage in this activity about 4-6 times a week it caused a rupture in my abdominal aorta.
- His insrutions were for us to refrain from anal sex but at least cut back dramatically on the frequency of it, that he go easy on my anus, and to use a lot of lube.
- Use extreme caution if when having anal sex with someone who's penis is longer than 8" and you souldn't take the whole thing inside of your anus without slowly working your way up to it.
- Try taking an ince more every other week until you're totally comfortable phyically with doing so, but still use lots of lube and take it slow.
- My Husband had a thumping feeling and heartbeat movement only at times.
- Come to find out 5 years ago he had it fixed.
- The problem was an Abdominal Aortic Aneurysym.
- Ask your Dr.
- to give you a simple CAT Scan or Ultra Sound.
- This is a serious condition!
- They can fix the AAA now with Stents and your home the following day as long as you find them before to long and the AAA gets to big.
- Then you would need a much riskier operation.
- Your lucky, sometimes there are no symptoms at all!
- Get yourself checked.
- I'm 16 almost 17 im not in the best of shape and everyone who has asked this question seems to be on the skinny side.
- I'm more on the hefty side and it about a month ago I noticed my stomach beating along with my heart beat.
- I have had sex before but I've always made my bf wear a condom.
- I can't get a test and this heartbeat thing is starting to freak me out.
- I have anxiety, and recently I had my first anxiety attack.
- I felt like I was going to be sick and dry heaved and in result, I started to have palpitation's.
- I am 14 turning 15 on July 2nd, I recently stsrted to notice that i can see/feel my heartbeat even through my shirt!
- I showed my friend one day and he freaked out some people say it is becsause i am skinny i dont consider myself skinny though i weigh 118-120 wich is normal i am 5"10 the other reason im worried is because my dad has an enlarged heart wich he was born with and i think that might be the cause.
- i dont think its normal to lie down and sometimes lose breath from your heart beating and sometimes i even feel it in my head!
- My mom is going to take me to the doctor.
- I get that there's veins and if I didn't notice a slight pulse, I should really call someone, like 911.
- BUT!
- It's been noticeable for the past year.
- Like when I am really bored, I entertain myself by watching plates or my laptop bounce up and down on my belly.
- But lately it's that much more prominent when I am on my period and lately I am suffering a lot of pain in my uterus/ovaries.
- Could the immense pain in my reproductive organs and the huge pulse in my belly be a really bad thing?
- I have the same issue but its not just a small pulse in my stomach the pulse is quite big and noticable even if I place my phone on my stomach it moves my phone baggy tops I wear pulse aswell at times I can feel it randomly and when I lay on my stomach I can feel the pulse on my bed
- I'm 14 also and I have the same thing.
- This past September I had a major kidney surgery that lasted for 9hours.
- Before the surgery I never say the heartbeat but could feel it.
- Now almost 9 months later I feel it and see it all if the time.
- probably going to explode
- **Aorta** Don't fix what you cannot spell because until you tried, we all assumed it was a typo.
- I have the same thing you have ,but I'm 18 && I'm also feeling pains I'm the right side of my chest
- I've been experiencing a lot of stress these past few months.
- My hands and feet sweat seems all the time and my groin and pits do as well.
- I've lost weight, but it seems like it has gone to my stomach.
- My appetite has changed.
- My digestive system has slowed down some.
- I've noticed this heart beat in my stomach.
- Well, I read this stuff, had stomach pain, and freaked out.
- Ultrasound revealed nothing.
- Turns out it was a light case of ibs.
- Physician even told me it's normal to see stomach resembling heart beat since I'm thin.
- I've had this since I was young and thin at 17, and now in 30's and overweight.
- I'm 14 and I can see a visible heartbeat in my stomach.
- I'm not thin though,I weigh 133-135lb,is this normal?
- always ask your dr.
- on anything.
- It's better to know that to be dead and sorry.
- It is aorta
- I'm 13 and I have the same thing I'm not sure if it's normal for this age
- I am 14 and see a heartbeat in my stomach.
- But I feel it all the time just in my body without touching it.
- The weirder part is if I touch my chest where my heart should be I don't feel anything at all.
- Plus whenever I eat I feel so nauseous I have to lay down and all my doctor did was prescribe me antinausea medicine that barely works because I can only take it once a day.
- Í also have anxiety.
- And í have palpitations of the heart ever so often.
- Sometimes í think it could be something detrimental but doctors say Its my anxiety.
- More specifically, when tour heart beats is it able to move your breast?
- Mine does n it as me worried alot.
- Im 19 and i smocked cigarettes and i have i beat in the right side of my stomach and noon in my chest i dont have high blood pressure but what is this im haveing in my stomach i quite smocking about two months ago just wandering
- This is not always true.
- A heartbeat felt in the abdomen could also indicate an abdominal aneurysm which can be very dangerous, esp if it ruptures it can be fatal.
- I am 13 and have the same thing I put my hand on my pulse and I feel and heartbeat I see it in my stomach I got scared that i was pregnant but it is just normal and trying to exercise can stop that
- I'm 16 and also have this.
- I'm also a athletic person and ive had heart problems before in the last
- I have the same as yours but my tummy is bigger, but all my urine pts are all negative
- I need answers please, i experience the same thing.
- Bigger tummy but pts are negative and never had sex tho
- I can see pulsating in my stomach when lying down and when standing.
- it is very visible at times.
- Pulsating can also be felt in my naval.
- My dr ordered an ultrasound of my aorta, i was worried about an aneurysm.
- I've just read that it can also be a symptom of an otherwise unknowable aortic aneurysm.
- O see this on my own body gr the first time recently.
- I was wondering what that was, I noticed a few days ago.
- I have anxiety as well.
- It blows
- Im 14 too and when I stop breathing and look at my stomach, It looks like theirs a heartbeat and ik im not pregnant
- I'm 13 and also have this idk what the hck is going on it's like a pulse or a heartbeat in my abdomen and around my stomach
- I have this aswell I'm 13 and I don't know what to do I told my mum and she said it's nothing but to be sure she took me to the doc and they said it's nothing and the checked my urine and did a blood test and found nothing so I'm definitely not pregnant idk what to do it's freaking me out I never had this before I'm sooo scared that I cried and told my mum and she said stop worrying it's nothing so I think you should tell your mum it helps you calm down a little
- I have this pulse also like a heart beat in my stomach, I was looking at some comments some people say it's dangerous and should get it checked out straight away.
- Some people say they can't put weight on, I lost my appetite to eat there a few months ago, and only eat a few things a day I could go days with out having any dinner but I'd have small snacks.
- I was worried about the pulse at first I thought it was in my head but it's actually not.
- And is it a bad sign if the pulse gets larger?
- Like the pulse it's self becomes a very more intense pile not like a little one anymore.
- I noticed a pulsing behind my navel.
- Two or three years later.
- still there.
- It's painful when pushed, and I can feel pulse in a pretty large diameter .
- up until 5 yrs ago I was very healthy.
- im 35 now.
- post had really bad thyroid issues.
- celiacs.
- hair loss fun times (probably irrelevant).
- but getting more concerned about a possible aneurysm?
- im literally the exact same situation im 15 and run track and cross country so i get lots of physical activity and exersize and i eat pretty well and drink lots of water but im sitting in study hall and i look down and notice that my stomach right below my ribcage and above my belly button is moving to my heartbeat.
- im pretty shook and confused and my stomach hurts like should i go to the nurse or something
- Im 13 it feels like an heart beat on my right side of my stomach doesnt feel the best but is scary.
- I also have a noticeable pulse in my stomach on my left side but sometimes it hurts while it's beating.
- my stomach beats like a heart often times.is it normal
- Same sh*t happening to me idk what it is.It feels like my hurt move to different positions of my body like my stomach and sometimes I can’t feel my heart beat
- Im 18 And I feel heart beat in my stomach everyday and for along time it wont go away what does that mean?
In conclusion
A pulsation feeling in the abdomen is usually nothing to worry about. It is likely just the pulse of your abdominal aorta, especially if you’re under the age of 50. Several other things, such as being pregnant, eating a large meal, or lying down can make the pulse in your abdomen more noticeable, especially if you're a thin person.
However, if the pulse in your stomach is accompanied with pain or if you're at risk of developing abdominal aortic aneurysm, you should make an appointment with your doctor right away.