Expert: David Richardson - 11/12/2009

Question
How are you doing? Have a question about something that i noticed last week. I'm 6'2, 220 with a muscular build. I lift weights on a regular basis and have recently started to train for a half marathon with another firefighter at my station. I try to eat fairly healthy and my blood pressure is about 110/70 and pulse around 55. About a week ago i got done running 4 miles at the station and layed down and noticed that my stomach, well pretty much my whole torso moves with my heartbeat.It has been doing it ever since. i can see it through my shirt, this might be something that has always been there but just have never noticed it.
The other day i put it in google and of course AAA popped up. This has bothered me ever since and i even went to our Medical Services the other day to have it looked out. The Dr. felt my aorta in my stomach and even listened to it and she thinks there seems to be nothing to worry about. After i left the office and went home i started to feel my stomach and chest and felt this lump right between my top two abs. its oval shaped and hard but not as hard as bone and doesnt hurt. This might be all anxiety now but kind of want some advice as to if you think the beating is normal, i cant feel the beating just see it. Do you think i should have it looked at and what could the lump be bewteen those top two abs?

Answer
Dear Kenneth,

Probably normal.  The heart rests on the diaphragm and heart beat is easily felt in the abdomen below the diaphragm.  If your diaphragm is low, which is normal, you would feel the heart itself.  Maybe you should get an ultrasound of upper abdomen to be sure it's not aneurysm, tho it's probably normal.

Please write back if this note doesn't answer all your questions.

David Richardson