Can you see your carotid pulse in your neck? Help, I'm panicking!

I'm a 26-year-old woman.
It’s about this pulse I can feel in a spot where you "shouldn't" be able to feel one—the suprasternal notch, that little dip right above the collarbone. My mind immediately goes to an aortic pulse. If you look anything up online, it tells you that usually means there's an aortic aneurysm. So, I feel this pulsing there, and when I get worked up or exhausted, I can actually see it—that area just jumps up and down. I first noticed it last week during a massive panic attack while I was staring at myself in the mirror. Honestly, I don't know if it's always been like this; maybe I just never paid attention. All I know is that I've always felt my heart "harder," especially when I'm pushing myself or under stress (and let's face it, my anxiety levels are through the roof). The thing is, I was waiting on a cardiac ultrasound because there’s some suspicion that I might have Marfan syndrome or some other connective tissue disorder (which could lead to early aneurysm formation). I’m actually the one who brought those suspicions up to my primary care physician, though I think they're legitimate. I was incredibly anxious. The ultrasound came back clear, and the EKG was fine too. I thought, okay, that's it, everything is clean. Unfortunately, I didn't push my internist hard enough to actually palpate the pulse and tell me if it's normal for the aorta to throb like that. I just mentioned feeling the pulsation, and she brushed it off, saying it might be stress or maybe something with my thyroid... My blood work is perfect, including iron, and my thyroid looked fine on the ultrasound, though I haven't had the hormone levels checked yet.
Once the initial relief wore off, it hit me: an ultrasound only sees a specific part of the aorta, so it doesn't mean I'm totally out of the woods. And of course, the panic is back. I feel this constant throbbing in that spot, and when I check the mirror, I see it happening. I'm constantly on edge, feeling the pulse all the way down to my gut; I can't sleep, I can't eat. I am just convinced something is wrong.
Regarding aneurysms and other symptoms (yeah, I read all the horror stories, obviously), sometimes it feels like it's hard to swallow, depending on what I eat. It gets worse when I'm nervous, but I also deal with GERD and esophageal issues. On top of that, I've had this lingering cough for ages; I had a nasty bout of sinusitis a few months ago that turned into bronchitis, and now I have constant post-nasal drip and mucus in my throat, so maybe that's why. I also wake up hoarse in the morning until things "clear out."
My doctor felt the pulse and told me it's normal (even though she couldn't feel it herself on that spot—though I do have a very thin neck). She insists I'm healthy, says my cardiac ultrasound is clear, and told me that for something to be suspicious there, it would show up; she basically said not everything you read on the internet is true. Then she gave me a referral to a psychiatrist for panic disorder and anxiety.
So, am I actually losing my mind? Can an obvious pulse really be "normal"? Could it just be palpitations? Because ever since my anxiety spiked, I feel my heart working so intensely, especially when I lie down; it feels like my whole chest is pulsing. My resting heart rate has always been a bit high, and it ramps up significantly when I'm active. It’s also driven by the sheer amount of anxiety I carry. My resting EKG was fine, but that's only when I'm sitting still.
Does anyone else feel a pulse in that spot? Mine is so pronounced that I'm terrified I actually have an aneurysm. 😢 I don't know what to do. My doctor isn't taking me seriously at all, even after I mentioned these other symptoms. Am I truly crazy? Does anyone else experience this? What should I do? I feel lost. I thought I could breathe easy after the ultrasound, but clearly, I can't. 😢
Sorry for the long, rambling post.
Right now, I'm getting some tests done for joint issues I've been having. Eventually, when I see a specialist, they might order genetic testing to check for a connective tissue disorder, but that could take months, and I'm terrified I'll die before then.
I just want to know if this can truly be normal and linked to panic disorder and anxiety.

TLDR: I can feel and see a pulse in the hollow above my collarbone. I'm anxious. Does anyone else feel this? Can it be normal?
Please, someone just talk me down because I’m spiraling here. The anxiety is actually becoming physical—I don't even know how I'm supposed to show up for my shift at Starbucks tomorrow.

rapidpanther68 said:Regarding those aneurysms and all the other symptoms (yeah, obviously I’ve done my deep dive on Google, lol),

That’s not "haha" territory, though. That’s actually a massive deal.

rapidpanther68 said:I’m wondering if this could actually be normal, like, maybe linked to panic disorder or anxiety?

It could totally be normal, especially given everything else you mentioned.

rapidpanther68 said:Please, someone just calm me down because the anxiety is killing me. I don't even know how I'm supposed to show up to work like this.

Step one to actually calming down: get off the internet entirely. Just stop scrolling.
Step two: get a second opinion. If you really can't handle the suspense, just pay out of pocket for an MRI of everything and then you can finally breathe easy.

Thanks for the reply
Look, I know this isn't funny. Believe me, nothing has felt funny to me for two weeks straight.
I realize nobody on the internet can actually diagnose me, but I just need to know if anyone else has dealt with this—if this could be normal, or if it’s the absolute worst-case scenario I’m terrified of.
It looks like I’ll have to pay out of pocket again, but this time I’m hunting for a top-tier cardiologist. My primary care doctor won't even give me a referral for anything; she insists I'm perfectly healthy, even after I laid out all these other symptoms. I mean, I know I probably overanalyze everything and I might just be scaring myself half to death, but these are serious things we're talking about.
My parents finally breathed a sigh of relief after my ultrasound came back clear, and now they think that’s the end of it. I don't know—to them, I probably sound like I'm losing my mind, but damn it, I am scared. 😢
For what it's worth, there's zero history of connective tissue disorders or sudden deaths from aneurysms in my family, yet both my sister and I are showing certain symptomatic patterns.
The thing is, it's impossible to just un-read everything I've searched online and pretend these other symptoms aren't happening (honestly, I'm clearing my throat every five minutes here at the office 🙄). It looks like I have no choice but to find a specialist. The potential diagnosis is genuinely terrifying...

So, I just checked that indentation right above my collarbone, and yeah, I can feel the pulse there too when I press my finger against it.🤔

That’s totally normal, honestly—but if you start hyper-focusing on it, you’re going to feel those little vibrations too. You probably just have a naturally higher resting heart rate or a stronger pulse, and since you've got a leaner build, it’s way more noticeable.
This sounds like straight-up anxiety and the start of health anxiety spirals—you might want to look into seeing a therapist or maybe talk to a doctor about some anti-anxiety meds just so you can finally chill out a bit.

Are you guys absolutely certain you’re feeling that pulse coming from "down there," like from deep inside the abdomen? And not just from a carotid artery up in your neck? 🙂 Apparently, that pulsing sensation near the aorta can be a real red flag. For me, it’s actually visible to the naked eye. 😢
You can literally see it thumping up and down.
Look, I know I’m probably ready for a session with a psychiatrist—I’ve already got my referral and I’m going, believe me, I’m over it—but it’s just a lot. Between a possible connective tissue disorder (still waiting on a specialist, but the symptoms are piling up), potential aneurysm signs, and the internet telling me I’m basically dead...
It’s total, unadulterated panic. 😢
I am more than ready to tackle my hypochondria and anxiety because, honestly, I'm exhausted by it all.
But specifically regarding that aortic pulse... is it possible it’s just pure anxiety? I’m pretty thin in that area and my collarbones stick out quite a bit. Still, the whole thing with connective tissue issues being linked to various aneurysms is terrifying. That visible twitching doesn't look normal to me.
I'll go see both the psychiatrist and the cardiologist... thanks for the input, anyway. I know I have a hell of a lot of work to do on myself.

rapidpanther68 said:Are you absolutely sure you're feeling that pulse "down there," like from the abdominal area? Not just an artery high up in your neck? 🙂 Apparently, that pulsing sensation coming from the aorta can actually be a real issue. And for me—I can literally see it with my own eyes 😢
It’s clearly visible, just throbbing up and down
Look, I know I'm probably ready for a psychiatrist at this point—I even got the referral and I'm going, I get it, I'm over it myself—but between a potential connective tissue disorder (still waiting on the specialist, but the symptoms are hitting hard) + possible aneurysm signs + the internet telling me everything is terminal...
Basically, I am in full-blown panic mode. 😢
I am more than ready to tackle my hypochondria and anxiety because honestly, I'm exhausted by it all.
But yeah, I was specifically curious about that aortic pulse... maybe it's all just anxiety-related, plus I'm pretty thin in that area and my collarbones stick out quite a bit. Still, connective tissue issues often go hand-in-hand with those nasty aneurysms, and that's what's really spooking me. That visible throbbing just doesn't feel "normal."
I'll see both the psychiatrist and the cardiologist... thanks for the input regardless. I know I have plenty of work to do on myself...

I can feel mine, but you can't see it... man, stop it... if you stay this hyper-focused on searching for diagnoses online, things are only gonna get worse. It's what I call a "hypochondriac pulse"—it just rattles through your whole body. Tension, anxiety, being hypersensitive to everything. Check your pulse on your palm; I bet you'll feel that same throbbing right there.
Get your thyroid levels checked too.
Just go see the doctors, then come back and join us on the anxiety thread—it'll make you feel better instantly once you see everyone else's symptoms over there. 👍

Yeah, it’s pulsing in my palms too. 😁 Every time I finally lie down and try to settle my mind, it feels like my heart has physically crawled up into my throat—literally. My entire chest and neck just throb. In that hollow part of my chest, you can actually feel it and see it 😢
I’m definitely going to get this checked out by a cardiologist... and honestly, I’m itching to finally do something about this anxiety and these panic attacks. I’ve been hypersensitive my entire life, and I've never once touched anything for anxiety. I'm also the type of person who bottles everything up; I hate being a burden. I'm not one of those hypochondriacs who constantly nags everyone around them about every little ache and pain, but instead, I just spiral internally and get terrified to even call my doctor. It’s the same pattern with everything else, not just health stuff. Back during my undergrad at UCLA, the dean's office actually referred me to a counselor who basically told me she didn't know what to do with me—that she couldn't help and that I either had to deal with it myself or find someone else (to put it bluntly). I never did, even though I really should have.
My biggest fear is that some actual, underlying medical issue is getting overlooked because it's being dismissed as "just anxiety"... but then again, I keep hoping that this ominous symptom is purely psychological... still, when it hits alongside these other symptoms, I get genuinely scared...

rapidpanther68 said:I am a 26-year-old female.
The issue is that I can feel a pulse in a spot where one "shouldn't" be able to feel it—specifically the suprasternal notch (that little dip right above the collarbone). My assumption is that it’s an aortic pulse. According to the internet, feeling a pulse there usually indicates an aortic aneurysm. I feel this pulsing sensation, and when I get anxious or fatigued, I can actually see it (that area physically jumps up and down). I first noticed this last week during a massive panic attack while looking at myself in the mirror. I have no idea if it has always been like this; I just never paid attention before. All I know is that I have always felt my heart "strongly," especially during physical exertion or stress (and I deal with significant anxiety). The thing is, I was waiting on a cardiac ultrasound because there are suspicions that I might have Marfan syndrome or some other connective tissue disorder (which could lead to early aneurysm development). Even though I was the one who brought these concerns up to my primary care physician, I believe they are valid. I was incredibly anxious during the process. The ultrasound came back clear, as did my EKG, so I thought, "Okay, that's it, everything is fine." Unfortunately, I didn't push my internist enough to actually palpate that pulse and tell me if it's normal for the aorta to pulsate like that. I simply mentioned I felt pulsing there, to which she suggested it might just be stress or perhaps something with my thyroid... (my blood work is excellent, including iron levels, and the ultrasound showed my thyroid looks fine, though I haven't had my hormone levels tested yet).
Only after I finally calmed down did I realize that an ultrasound can only visualize a specific portion of the aorta, so a clean scan doesn't necessarily mean I am in the clear. Naturally, the panic has returned. I feel constant pulsation in that area, and when I look in the mirror, I can see it. I am perpetually unsettled; I feel the pulse constantly, I can't sleep, and I can't eat. I am simply convinced that something is wrong.
Regarding aneurysms and other symptoms (of course, I have read up on all of this), I sometimes experience difficulty swallowing, depending on what I eat; it worsens when I am nervous. I also suffer from GERD and esophageal issues. Additionally, I have had a persistent cough for quite a while, though I dealt with a nasty bout of sinusitis a few months ago that turned into bronchitis. It seems to be constantly draining into my throat, causing a lot of mucus buildup, which might explain the cough. I also wake up hoarse in the morning until things "clear out."
My doctor felt the pulse and told me, "Oh, that's perfectly normal" (even though she couldn't feel it herself at that exact spot, though I do have a slender neck). She insists I am healthy, that my cardiac ultrasound is clear, and that it would be highly unlikely for anything to be wrong there. She told me not to believe everything I read online and gave me a referral to a psychiatrist for my panic disorder and anxiety.
So, am I truly losing my mind? Can an obvious pulse really be considered "normal"? Could this just be "palpitations"? Generally speaking, ever since my anxiety started, I have felt my heart working very intensely, especially when lying down; it feels like my entire chest is pulsating. My resting heart rate has always been slightly elevated, and it accelerates significantly when I am active. This is exacerbated by my high levels of anxiety. My resting EKG was fine, but that is only while I am sitting still.
Does anyone else feel a pulse in that location? Mine is extremely pronounced, and I am terrified that I actually have an aneurysm. 😢 I don't know what to do. My doctor isn't taking me seriously at all, despite me mentioning these other symptoms. Am I actually crazy? Does anyone else experience this? What should I do? I feel lost; I thought I could breathe easy after the ultrasound, but clearly, I cannot. 😢
Please excuse the length and somewhat disorganized nature of this post.
I am currently reviewing some lab results regarding ongoing joint issues I've been experiencing. It’s possible that when I finally see a specialist, they may recommend genetic testing to investigate potential connective tissue disorders. However, that process could take months, and frankly, I am terrified that I might die in the meantime.
Is it actually possible for these physical sensations to be normal, or could they be linked to a panic disorder and anxiety?

TLDR: I can feel and see a pulse in the hollow area above my collarbone. Given my anxiety, does anyone else experience this? Could this be a normal occurrence?
Please, I am asking for some reassurance because the worry is becoming unbearable; I don't even know how I'm supposed to function at work.

I cannot say for certain what has transpired since you originally posted this. However, you must understand that panicking will never lead to a solution; it only serves to manufacture crises out of non-existent problems.
Everything you have described—including your psychological state—points toward a potential thyroid hormone imbalance. Palpitations, anxiety, restlessness, fear, and so on... just because a thyroid ultrasound didn't show any structural abnormalities on the gland itself doesn't mean your hormone levels aren't in total disarray.

I should point out that a visible carotid artery pulse can indeed be a serious matter, but I find it highly unlikely that you would be sitting there with an aneurysm without your doctor having already flagged it. Based on your writing style, I suspect you have spent considerable time researching symptoms online and have filled your head with "nonsense." While I admit not everything found online is nonsense, much of it is simply a surplus of useless information for your specific situation. I hope that as of today, things are going better and you have managed to find some calm. Best regards.

Thanks so much for getting back to me!
In the meantime, I actually went to see this incredibly experienced cardiologist—an academic type, really top-tier, someone who deals with connective tissue disorders all the time. He sat me down, listened to everything, and did a super thorough exam. Even though it wasn't originally on the schedule, he ended up running an echocardiogram because, honestly, I was freaking out. He focused specifically on my aorta and the aortic arch, checking every little detail he could. He even palpated the exact area that’s been keeping me up at night.
His verdict? Everything looks fine. He said there’s absolutely no sign of an aneurysm. His main advice was to get my thyroid checked out and to start exercising, since he noted I'm in pretty terrible shape physically. As for that visible pulsing in my neck—he used the term 😁—he chalked it up entirely to anxiety and told me I need to deal with that ASAP.
He didn't think a CT scan or any other heavy-duty imaging was necessary. The only thing we actually caught was a slightly elevated heart rate.
I've calmed down a bit since then, but I can still see that pulsing in the mirror, especially when my anxiety starts spiking.
And I should mention, I can feel that intense pulsing in other parts of my body too. If I focus on it, I can feel it right in my fingertips. Maybe it’s all just psychological (God, I hope so), or maybe it's a thyroid issue, or something else minor rather than some life-threatening aneurysm or something equally terrifying.
I’ve also noticed that both my mom and my sister have this same thing going on with their necks; you can see a bit of that pulsing there too. Now, either we’re all dealing with something serious, or this might just be somewhat normal or linked to other factors 🙂 since they both struggle with anxiety, panic attacks, and thyroid issues.

So, I'm currently waiting on an appointment with a psychiatrist to tackle the anxiety and panic, and I'll be getting my thyroid hormones checked out as soon as possible.
I'm stuck wondering if I should seek a second opinion, go out of my way to demand a CT scan (which, let's face it, I probably can't afford right now anyway), or just try to accept what the doctor said and move forward without living in constant fear while I fight these other health battles.

rapidpanther68 said:Thanks so much for getting back to me!
So, in the meantime, I actually went to see this super experienced cardiologist—like, a top-tier specialist at the Mayo Clinic type of guy—who deals with connective tissue stuff all the time. He really sat me down, listened to everything, and did a full workup. Even though it wasn't on the initial agenda, he ran an echocardiogram because, honestly, I was freaking out big time. He focused specifically on my aorta and the aortic arch, checking every little thing he could. He even felt that spot on my neck that’s been keeping me up at night.
He told me everything looks totally fine, that there’s definitely no aneurysm, and suggested I get my thyroid checked out. Oh, and he also gave me a reality check about my fitness level—basically said I'm in terrible shape and need to start exercising... ugh. As for that visible pulsing in my jugular area (that's his fancy term 😁), he chalked it up to anxiety and told me to deal with that ASAP.
He didn't think a CT scan or any other heavy-duty imaging was necessary. The only actual finding was that my resting heart rate is slightly elevated.
I’ve calmed down a bit since then, but man, I can still see that pulsing in the mirror... especially when the anxiety starts spiking again.
And just to add to the weirdness, I can feel that intense pulsing elsewhere in my body too. If I focus on it, I can even feel it in my fingertips, which is wild. Maybe it’s all just psychological (God, I hope so...) or maybe it's the thyroid, or something else minor rather than an aneurysm or some life-threatening disaster.
I noticed that both my mom and my sister have the exact same thing going on with their necks—you can see that slight pulsing too. So, either we’re all walking medical anomalies, or it’s just something normal or related to other issues 🙂 since they both struggle with anxiety, panic attacks, and thyroid problems.

Anyway, I'm currently waiting on an appointment with a psychiatrist to tackle the anxiety and panic, and I'll be getting those thyroid levels checked out pronto.
I'm just torn... do I need a second opinion? Should I just go rogue and demand a CT scan (not like I could afford that right now anyway, lol)? Or should I just trust what the doctor said and stop living in fear so I can focus on fixing everything else?

First things first: get that thyroid checked. That thing can absolutely wreck your mental state.

If there were actually a reason for a CT, your doctor would have ordered one already. Don't waste your breath or your money on pointless tests when you've got other stuff to handle.

I'm speaking from experience here. Anxiety, a family history of heart issues, endless EKGs, serious health anxiety... the whole nine yards...

Your heart is fine. You've got two professionals telling you so. Just let go of this imaginary aneurysm. And all those other "diseases" you're dreaming up.

Emily Patel70 said:First things first, go see your endocrinologist. They can cause some serious mental chaos if things aren't balanced right.

If there was actually any legitimate reason for concern, your doctor would have ordered a CT scan by now. Don't waste your energy chasing ghosts with useless tests when you've already got enough on your plate with other appointments.

I'm speaking from experience here. Anxiety, a family history of heart issues, getting dozens of EKGs done, spiraling into full-blown hypochondria... I've been there.

Your heart is fine. You've had two different opinions. Just drop the whole imaginary aneurysm thing. And all those other made-up illnesses too.

Thanks for the input. I’ll definitely be checking in with my endocrinologist as soon as I can.
I'm also waiting on an appointment with a physical therapist for these hip and joint issues. Based on everything, it looks like early-onset osteoarthritis. That could still be a sign of some underlying connective tissue disorder, so I'm hoping we can clear that up—find out once and for all if there's actually something wrong or not.
I decided to start hitting the local YMCA pool—just light swimming a few times a week, nothing intense, just enough to loosen up my joints and maybe feel a bit more human.
And I'm really hoping psychotherapy helps me sort through the mental clutter, too. 🙂

rapidpanther68 said:I'm just sitting here waiting on my appointment with the psychiatrist so I can finally get a handle on this anxiety and panic, and I'm hoping to get my thyroid levels checked out as soon as possible too.

You're definitely heading in the right direction. 🙂

rapidpanther68 said:I’m not sure if there’s really any point in seeking out another opinion, but I've been sitting here wondering whether I should push for a follow-up CT scan on my own dime—which, honestly, isn't exactly something I can comfortably afford right now—or if I should just try to take what my doctor said at face value and move forward without letting the fear stop me from tackling everything else I'm dealing with.

This second option is definitely the way to go. 🙂

You really remind me of how I used to be about ten years ago—just constant panic, anxiety, and that endless cycle of health anxiety where you're convinced everything is wrong. It can feel pretty ugly when you're in the middle of it, but honestly, realizing that you actually have a problem and wanting to fix it is a massive step forward. Don't go expecting some kind of overnight miracle, because that's not how this works, but if you just stay persistent and keep doing the work on yourself, I truly hope you find a way to finally be free from all those intrusive thoughts. I know it's possible, mostly because I've been exactly where you are. 🙂

Best of luck! 🙂

rapidpanther68 said:Thanks for the tips. I'm definitely gonna get my kidneys checked out ASAP.
Just waiting on an appointment with a physical therapist too... dealing with some hip and joint issues that, honestly, look like early-onset osteoarthritis. But hey, it could still be some kind of connective tissue disorder, so hopefully we figure out if that's actually in the cards or not... fingers crossed...
I decided to start hitting the local YMCA pool—just some light swimming a few times a week, nothing crazy, just enough to loosen up these joints and maybe feel slightly less human wreckage
And here's hoping psychotherapy helps me sort out the mess going on in my head 🙂

Are there actual signs of a connective tissue issue or genetic thing, or did you just decide that was your diagnosis?
Asking because I once claimed I had everything from brain tumors to leukemia. All totally made up, obviously.