Apical Pulse

[worry_wort331]

I noticed a couple weeks ago that when I lay on my left side when going to sleep at night, I can really feel my apical pulse...it really pounds up and down. I definitly have an anxiety problem, so once I notice something like that I cannot get it out of my mind. So nonstop for the last couple weeks I have been feeling my apical pulse and when I do I can feel it easily. I'm a 20 year old competitive distance runner, so I know I'm healthy and in shape..but I also have this issue with always thinking there is something wrong with me. Is it normal to feel your apical pulse so easily, especially laying on your left side since your heart is on that side?

[blueyed224]

hi there just been reading your note on your asking about your pulse at night, i to have this problem and was very concerned, i even had been awaken by this and had to lay on my back to settle the heart beat down.. i was told im having anxiaty attack. put on meds  to find no differace, or having dreams. i continued to go to the doc and demend answers as im a healthy person with little stress in my life and active eat well. long story cut short, i had blockages in my left main artery and had by pass surgery 2 yrs ago 2009. today i have been having it again  came concerned and went for much test, got my results thursday  i have blockages now waiting to see when i go for angioplasty.   so please follow your heart and gut and demand answers and demand test, you are the only one who knows your body..also i was told this is rear in women and my doc is in shock and now is aggressive with me when i have a complaint with my health. im a 48 yr old lady.. good luck and hope you have the right doc that will work with you

[Jerry_NJ]

The fact that you use the term: Apical Pulse, suggests you are giving too much attention to your heart.  Most of us would not know what you are talking about, well in fairness I had to look it up and concluded you are simply telling us you are using your hand/fingers to feel you pulse.  That being the case, I'd need to better understand what you mean by "up and down", are you talking about the rate?  Is it also irregular in the sense of extra or missing beats?  

Some of us have trouble physically feeling our pulse, I'm one of those, and some don't, it seems you are one of those.  I know many people, besides medical people, who have no problem feeling their pulse and there's nothing wrong with them.  Unless you have some other rhythm anomalies, I suggest just ignoring your sense of your heart beating.