Aa
Aa
A
A
A
Close
Avatar universal

Cause of visible pulsation in ulnar artery and other locations

Hello Doctor,

The past few weeks, my left ulnar artery pulse became visible. (I noticed it happening after I started getting frequent strong muscle spasms on my left pinkie/hand/wrist). My right ulnar artery pulse is sometimes visible now, too.

In the past few months, I've become acutely aware of my pulse.  For example, my fingertips sometimes seem to pulse when I'm holding my phone.  When laying down, I sometimes can feel my pulse which turn to faster vibrations in whatever is contacting the bed.  My entire abdomen sometimes gently bounces with my pulse in certain positions.  Finally, sometimes when leaning forward while sitting my head feels like it is bobbing.

From all my web searches online, strong pulsing seems to point to increased left ventrical activity due to aortic regurgitation or valve issues.  

When checking my blood pressure, pulse, and heart sounds during these "weird" times, they are normal.  There is not a large variance between dystolic and systolic but seem to be in my normal 120s/70s.

I've had several EKGs which show nothing and 2 holter monitors which just showed premature beats thought to be benign.  

I am a 35yo male with 120s/70s BP, slightly overweight, resting heart rate in low 60s usually, no known health issues or past problems.  My cholesterol has gone up from my 10+ year normal of 160-170 total/100-110 LDL/ 100'ish TG to 220 total/150 LDL/195 TG in the past year.

Any advice or experience would be appreciated because my normal MD doesn't seem concerned about the pulsations.

7 Responses
Sort by: Helpful Oldest Newest
Avatar universal
I'm a 19 year old male with the same problem. Healthy athlete with normal blood pressure but I can see my arms and legs pulse sometimes and I occasionally get pain in my chest area and feel uneasy for a week or so until I get over it for a few months and then it comes back. I too think it may be gastrointestinal or something because it seems to happen most when I eat a lot (bulking season, eating after really physical days). Doctors say it's just anxiety cause ECGs and stuff are normal and I'm otherwise very healthy but from everything I've read anxiety shouldn't make your chest hurt and limbs pulsate and I'm not an anxious person other than this.
Helpful - 0
1 Comments
Visual pulsations + pain are certainly a better thing then a lack of pulsation with pain.

All you can do is request an appointment for additional testimg, such as a holter monitor. This will give a better picture of the issue.
Avatar universal
Pls what did you do to your problem cos i'm havin same pro here
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Pls what did you do to your problem cos i'm havin same pro here
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I was surprised to see this article since it seems very similar to what I experience. I am normal for around 6 months and then suddenly I can feel my heat  beat. I can see my pulse on my hands, finger tips, stomach shaking to pulse. Even my eye glasses and some times headsets twitch to my pulse. Also feel "unsettled" and tired. All heart tests came -ve. I do have high tryglycerides for which I take meds (Lipidel EZ).  My symptoms stay for 4days to 2weeks and then I am back to "normal" until I hit this again. I personally dont feel its related to stress, anxiety or panic. However I also do get gas problems and think it could be gastro/IBS related.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Hi everyone I too have had all these feelings like pressure in my face, awarness of my heart beating, dizziness, fautige,etc. I have been to at least 6 different doctors! all say the same thing everythings normal? My bp is on the high side 135/85 but other than that nothing. My doctor put me on anxiety meds, these don't really seem to help though? I have had every test imaginable, ekg, holter monitor, 24hr bp monitor, treadmill, but no doctor has done an echo? I have asked and been told that there is no need, I don't have the RISK FACTORS! I feel like my heart beating abnormaly (palpitations) and high bp would be considered high bp? Guess not. I am 29yrs old and have been dealing with this since I was 27, all dr's say anxiety? Check out the anxiety forum may help?
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I seemto have the same symptoms, although I have left sided chest pain and lightheadedness. I have been to the ER many times and have been told that nothing is wrong, EKG's, blood work, holter monitor. I would suggest you ask to have an echocardigram, this is an ultrasound of yor heart. I have had two done and it showed aortic insufficency, which the doctors tell me would not cause these symptoms at this stage.
  I have had these symptoms for a year and no doctors seem to be worried. My bp is also 120/75. I would like to see some other responses to your post, because I am like you worried with no answers.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Sorry this a repeat of a topic I posted it a few days ago.  I thought I was actually getting a post in the patient-doctor forum this time but was here.  :)

Helpful - 0
Have an Answer?

You are reading content posted in the Heart Disease Community

Top Heart Disease Answerers
159619 tn?1707018272
Salt Lake City, UT
11548417 tn?1506080564
Netherlands
Learn About Top Answerers
Didn't find the answer you were looking for?
Ask a question
Popular Resources
Is a low-fat diet really that heart healthy after all? James D. Nicolantonio, PharmD, urges us to reconsider decades-long dietary guidelines.
Can depression and anxiety cause heart disease? Get the facts in this Missouri Medicine report.
Fish oil, folic acid, vitamin C. Find out if these supplements are heart-healthy or overhyped.
Learn what happens before, during and after a heart attack occurs.
What are the pros and cons of taking fish oil for heart health? Find out in this article from Missouri Medicine.
How to lower your heart attack risk.