Lee,

Thanks for your question.  It's difficult to accurately answer your question as more information is needed.  But I'll try to supply some information for you with a recommendation.

There normally are two pulses in the neck, one on either side of the windpipe, caused by blood pumping from the heart through the carotid arteries.  Rarely, there can be a ballooning of these arteries, called an aneurysm, which will give you a mass (or lump) that is pulsating. 

Neck pain can be caused by several different things, including heart disease.  These include: spinal disease such as a pinched nerve and arthritis; muscle spasm; infection causing enlarged, tender lymph nodes; and rarely, thyroid disorders. 

Many questions need to be asked and answered about your discomfort in order to answer the major question here.  Therefore, I suggest you make an appointment with your doctor for an evaluation.  In addition to your history, he will perform a physical examination and perform an electrocardiogram.  Then he will be in the best position to make a decision whether heart disease is a possibility.  He might request further testing in order to be certain.

In addition, please review our website about heart disease and its symptoms.  This will give you a good base of information that will be useful for your visit with your physician.

Best wishes.

Martin Cane, M.D.