Have you ever had a few cups of coffee and felt your heart beat faster or had a sudden pain in your chest? Well, there might be a reason for this, but it’s probably not what you’re looking for. You think. What might coffee be doing to your heart when you’re experiencing chest discomfort?
If the heart beats fast enough and blood pressure rises high enough, it can affect blood flow to the heart and cause chest pain. This isn’t the case for most coffee drinkers, and if you’re not caffeine sensitive but have chest pains after coffee, you’re more likely to have acid reflux. The American Heart Association says coffee is high in antioxidants, which are also good for your skin and body. Coffee also has the potential to reduce the risk of
heart disease.
These are some of the uncomfortable symptoms that regular consumption of large amounts of caffeine can cause:
- Tremors
- Headaches
- Heartburn
- Insomnia
- Irritability
- Nervousness
- Rapid heartbeat
- Frequent urination
Caffeine intake increases the body’s production of the stress hormone cortisol. This hormone is responsible for triggering the fight or flight response when a threat or intense test is perceived.
This hormone is released by the adrenal glands when stimulated by the pituitary and hypothalamus. Cortisol suppresses other bodily functions to allow for a quicker response to danger and stress.
When combined with certain medications, caffeine is more likely to cause high blood pressure or palpitations. You should avoid caffeine sources like coffee and energy drinks when using over-the-counter decongestants that contain ephedrine or medications that contain theophylline and
echinacea. This combination of substances can also cause the unpleasant side effects of caffeine.
Below is a list of people with medical conditions who may need to limit or avoid caffeine:
- People with insomnia
- Pregnant or breastfeeding women
- Children and adolescents
- People with ulcers or heartburn symptoms
- Anxious patients
In general, daily caffeine intake should never cause chest pain. However, if you experience chest pain after ingesting caffeine, you may have sensitivity to caffeine.
Keep in mind that this is common among people who are not used to drinking any type of caffeine. If you are one of these people, you should avoid caffeine altogether.
Remember that there is a list of people who should avoid caffeine because of pre-existing medical conditions, including pregnant and breastfeeding women, people with insomnia, and even children and teenagers.
Finally, be on the lookout for certain over-the-counter medications that can become a terrible experience when mixed with caffeine.
If you have persistent pain, chest tightness or discomfort, do not hesitate to seek medical attention immediately.