Atrial fibrillation/pulse

[r-kay]

  I am female, 51, 120 lbs.  Have been treated for high blood pressure for approximately 15+ years and was diagnosed with atrial fibrillation 8 yrs ago, also mitral valve prolapse which is insignificant.  Am taking 400 mg. cordarone, 10 mg. norvasc, 5 mg. zestril, and one aspirin daily.  (Coumadin was eliminated last year when I hemmoraged on my period.)  Also had a TIA 2 1/2 years ago.  For the past year +, I hear and feel the pulse in my head.  I hear the blood gushing, almost roaring.  It is continuous regardless of whether I am active, inactive, standing, sitting, or lying down.  Is there a name for such a condition?  Any lituature?  I thought if I waited it out, it would stop, but it is only getting worse.  I am weary of it.
  rkay
    

[CCF CARDIO MD APS]

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Dear rkay,
Hearing the pulse in your head can be due to a number of things: 1. your blood pressure is elevated, 2. you have a blockage in the artery that feeds blood to your brain via the neck, or 3. you have an ear problem that is causing you to be more aware of the blood being pushed from your heart up in to your head.
Since you are actually (also) "feeling" the pulse, it may be increased pressure. Regardless, go see your doctor to have this issue sorted out/investigated.
I hope this information is useful. Information provided in the heart forum is for
general purposes only.  Only your physician can provided specific diagnoses and therapies.
Feel free to write back with further questions. Good luck!
If you would like to make an appointment at the Cleveland Clinic Heart Center, please
call 1-800-CCF-CARE or inquire online by using the Heart Center website at
www.ccf.org/heartcenter. The Heart Center website contains a directory of the
cardiology staff that can be used to select the physician best suited to address your
cardiac problem.