Heartbeat sounds have long been a staple of film, television, and radio drama, where a simple lub-dub rhythm signals danger, anxiety, or intense emotion without any dialogue. Online, the same effect became a popular tool for short-form video editors, horror creators, and streamers who need instant tension in just a few seconds. Its staying power comes from universality: almost everyone recognises the rhythm immediately, so it works across languages, genres, and platforms without explanation.