diff --git a/espanso-ui/src/event.rs b/espanso-ui/src/event.rs
index 9e8ac89..b3eb580 100644
--- a/espanso-ui/src/event.rs
+++ b/espanso-ui/src/event.rs
@@ -21,4 +21,5 @@
 pub enum UIEvent {
   TrayIconClick,
   ContextMenuClick(u32),
+  Heartbeat,
 }
diff --git a/espanso-ui/src/win32/mod.rs b/espanso-ui/src/win32/mod.rs
index 427919b..41fb2bd 100644
--- a/espanso-ui/src/win32/mod.rs
+++ b/espanso-ui/src/win32/mod.rs
@@ -46,6 +46,7 @@ const MAX_ICON_COUNT: usize = 3;
 
 const UI_EVENT_TYPE_ICON_CLICK: i32 = 1;
 const UI_EVENT_TYPE_CONTEXT_MENU_CLICK: i32 = 2;
+const UI_EVENT_TYPE_HEARTBEAT: i32 = 3;
 
 // Take a look at the native.h header file for an explanation of the fields
 #[repr(C)]
@@ -342,6 +343,9 @@ impl From<RawUIEvent> for Option<UIEvent> {
       UI_EVENT_TYPE_CONTEXT_MENU_CLICK => {
         return Some(UIEvent::ContextMenuClick(raw.context_menu_id));
       }
+      UI_EVENT_TYPE_HEARTBEAT => {
+        return Some(UIEvent::Heartbeat);
+      }
       _ => {}
     }
 
diff --git a/espanso-ui/src/win32/native.cpp b/espanso-ui/src/win32/native.cpp
index 9c7502d..7455d82 100644
--- a/espanso-ui/src/win32/native.cpp
+++ b/espanso-ui/src/win32/native.cpp
@@ -50,6 +50,8 @@ using json = nlohmann::json;
 #define APPWM_SHOW_CONTEXT_MENU (WM_APP + 2)
 #define APPWM_UPDATE_TRAY_ICON (WM_APP + 3)
 
+#define HEARTBEAT_TIMER_ID 10001
+
 const wchar_t *const ui_winclass = L"EspansoUI";
 
 typedef struct
@@ -78,7 +80,7 @@ LRESULT CALLBACK ui_window_procedure(HWND window, unsigned int msg, WPARAM wp, L
   {
   case WM_DESTROY:
     PostQuitMessage(0);
-    
+
     // Remove tray icon
     if (variables->options.show_icon)
     {
@@ -104,7 +106,7 @@ LRESULT CALLBACK ui_window_procedure(HWND window, unsigned int msg, WPARAM wp, L
     if (flags == 0)
     {
       event.event_type = UI_EVENT_TYPE_CONTEXT_MENU_CLICK;
-      event.context_menu_id = (uint32_t) idItem;
+      event.context_menu_id = (uint32_t)idItem;
       if (variables->event_callback && variables->rust_instance)
       {
         variables->event_callback(variables->rust_instance, event);
@@ -153,6 +155,18 @@ LRESULT CALLBACK ui_window_procedure(HWND window, unsigned int msg, WPARAM wp, L
       break;
     }
   }
+  case WM_TIMER: // Regular timer check event
+  {
+    if (wp == HEARTBEAT_TIMER_ID)
+    {
+      event.event_type = UI_EVENT_TYPE_HEARTBEAT;
+      if (variables->event_callback && variables->rust_instance)
+      {
+        variables->event_callback(variables->rust_instance, event);
+      }
+      break;
+    }
+  }
   default:
     if (msg == WM_TASKBARCREATED)
     { // Explorer crashed, recreate the icon
@@ -227,7 +241,7 @@ void *ui_initialize(void *_self, UIOptions _options, int32_t *error_code)
       SendMessage(window, WM_SETICON, ICON_BIG, (LPARAM)variables->g_icons[0]);
       SendMessage(window, WM_SETICON, ICON_SMALL, (LPARAM)variables->g_icons[0]);
 
-      // Tray icon 
+      // Tray icon
       variables->nid.cbSize = sizeof(variables->nid);
       variables->nid.hWnd = window;
       variables->nid.uID = 1;
@@ -241,6 +255,9 @@ void *ui_initialize(void *_self, UIOptions _options, int32_t *error_code)
       {
         Shell_NotifyIcon(NIM_ADD, &variables->nid);
       }
+
+      // Setup heartbeat timer
+      SetTimer(window, HEARTBEAT_TIMER_ID, 1000, (TIMERPROC)NULL);
     }
     else
     {
diff --git a/espanso-ui/src/win32/native.h b/espanso-ui/src/win32/native.h
index fd0d783..c403603 100644
--- a/espanso-ui/src/win32/native.h
+++ b/espanso-ui/src/win32/native.h
@@ -29,6 +29,7 @@
 
 #define UI_EVENT_TYPE_ICON_CLICK 1
 #define UI_EVENT_TYPE_CONTEXT_MENU_CLICK 2
+#define UI_EVENT_TYPE_HEARTBEAT 3
 
 typedef struct {
   int32_t show_icon;