diff --git a/src/pipecat/pipeline/task.py b/src/pipecat/pipeline/task.py
index 3e8a36b6c..4631f71c7 100644
--- a/src/pipecat/pipeline/task.py
+++ b/src/pipecat/pipeline/task.py
@@ -468,7 +468,7 @@ class PipelineTask(BasePipelineTask):
         return self._process_push_task
 
     def _maybe_start_heartbeat_tasks(self):
-        if self._params.enable_heartbeats:
+        if self._params.enable_heartbeats and self._heartbeat_push_task is None:
             self._heartbeat_push_task = self._task_manager.create_task(
                 self._heartbeat_push_handler(), f"{self}::_heartbeat_push_handler"
             )
@@ -566,7 +566,6 @@ class PipelineTask(BasePipelineTask):
         """
         self._clock.start()
 
-        self._maybe_start_heartbeat_tasks()
         self._maybe_start_idle_task()
 
         start_frame = StartFrame(
@@ -648,6 +647,10 @@ class PipelineTask(BasePipelineTask):
 
             if isinstance(frame, StartFrame):
                 await self._call_event_handler("on_pipeline_started", frame)
+                
+                # Start heartbeat tasks now that StartFrame has been processed 
+                # by all processors in the pipeline
+                self._maybe_start_heartbeat_tasks()
             elif isinstance(frame, EndFrame):
                 await self._call_event_handler("on_pipeline_ended", frame)
                 self._pipeline_end_event.set()