For approximately two weeks I have had a noticeable heavy heartbeat in a vein or artery on the left side of my neck. It gets my attention because I feel it thumping - sometimes in jerks and spurts, but I have put my finger on it & timed my heart rate, which was approximately 65x/minute - standing/no exertion. I am white female, age 61. I take atenolol daily and occasionally 5mg of valium. Lately as soon as my feet hit the floor from a night s rest, it s like my body starts energizing inside like turning on a car engine...nervous, uncomfortable feeling. I plan to contact my local family doctor. Do you have any thoughts on this? Thank you.