Caffeine Chest Pain: How Much Caffeine Is Too Much?

Have you ever drank a few cups of coffee and felt that your heart was racing or that you were having chest pains?

While caffeine, which is the primary component of coffee, may cause discomfort, especially when consumed in large amounts, it should not, for whatever reason, cause chest pain. This is especially true if you drink safe doses of caffeine on a daily basis.

But before we delve deeper into the causes of your chest pain and the possible relationship between caffeine to chest pain, let’s discuss first a little background about caffeine.

Caffeine is a naturally occurring stimulant that can help boost the central nervous system and brain. It is, in fact, a legal psychoactive substance which means that it can affect the way we think and act. Thus, consuming it whether gradual or big amounts can affect us in significant ways.

So now we go back to the idea of coffee causing occasional chest pains. Is it true? Let’s find out.

There are several possible causes of chest pain. But generally, when blood flow to the heart is blocked, chest discomfort arises. So, as caffeine levels rise in our bodies, our blood flow constraints also increase.

In addition, coffee also encourages increased stomach acid secretion, raises blood pressure, and produces an increased heart rate. People who are caffeine sensitive may encounter negative side effects.

How Much Caffeine is Too Much?

Caffeine can have different effects on people. While others can drink 10 cups a day and work normally, others can only drink 1 cup and have mild palpitations already. If you experience discomfort with caffeine, reducing your consumption may help. The first step is to know how much is too much for you.

The average amount of caffeine that a normal individual with no symptoms can take is 400 milligrams a day or also equivalent to 4 cups of coffee. Sometimes, 6 cups still won’t harm you. But since we are speaking in the middle, we can say that exceeding this amount can lead to the following:

• Headache
• Nausea
• Heartburn
• Insomnia
• Restlessness
• Anxiety
• Irritability
• Quivering
• Frequent Urination
• Rapid heartbeat

Again, these symptoms may not be applicable to everyone at all times. At the end of the day, it is important that you know how to listen to your body.

Is Caffeine Dangerous For Some People?

Caffeine is not dangerous itself but consuming it in substantial amounts, especially by individuals who are intolerant to caffeine and those who have certain conditions can lead to danger.

Besides sickness, age is also a factor in determining the risk of caffeine in the body. Because of the probable symptoms that can be experienced from caffeine, the majority of doctors and pediatricians recommend that children and adolescents, most particularly, should avoid the consumption of caffeine.

There are no conclusive scientific explanations for how caffeine impacts the brain development of youngsters. However, caffeine disrupts sleep, and sleep is essential for learning.

Caffeine, according to some laboratory studies, disrupts sleep and learning in adolescent rodents, obstructing normal neurological development that lasts into adulthood.

Moreover, according to other research, teenagers who have a history of caffeine misuse are more likely to become drug and alcohol addicts. As these findings have been of concern, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommends consulting a pediatrician first before adding caffeine into a child’s diet.

Significantly, you should be aware of which foods and drinks are high in caffeine. Energy drinks, for example, contain too much caffeine and added chemicals which often lead to a variety of health issues including heart attack.

Thus, people with the following conditions may need to limit or eliminate caffeine entirely:

• Those that suffer from insomnia
• Women who are expecting a child or are breastfeeding
• Teenagers and children
• People suffering from ulcers or acid reflux symptoms
• People that suffer from anxiety

How Do I Get Rid of Caffeine Chest Pain?

If coffee or caffeine causes your chest discomfort or other symptoms, you should cut back on your intake. However, if you’ve already consumed caffeine and are experiencing acid reflux, it’s time to take steps to alleviate the pain in your chest. Some of the greatest methods for reducing acid reflux following caffeine consumption include:

• Drink plenty of water. This is the best way to detox and hydrate yourself from the diuretic. It can also help alleviate acids.
• Go for a walk.
• Practice deep breathing exercises.
• 1 tbsp. of apple cider vinegar mixed in 1 glass of water can provide immediate relief.
• You can also take a half glass of lukewarm water and baking soda.
• Raise your head in bed or make sure your upper body is at least slightly raised for comfort.
• Loosen your clothing since it puts pressure on the stomach.
• Prepare a tea made with lavender, ginger, or chamomile. Make sure it’s caffeine-free and combine it with licorice root powder
• Probiotics can aid digestion as well. You can take them as tablets or in their natural forms (buttermilk, yogurt)

Conclusion

While moderate caffeine usage is unlikely to cause harm in most people, reactions to the stimulant are highly dependent on different personal factors such as genetics and lifestyle.

When drinking caffeine, people should be aware that they are taking a psychoactive chemical. Thus, it is important that you observe the reaction of your body towards it.

Check to see if you’re on the list of those who should avoid coffee so you can take action and prevent your condition from getting worse. And lastly, if symptoms are already prevalent, it is always best to consult with your physician.

Hope you enjoyed this article! If you have any questions, please leave a comment below and we will do our best to answer your queries and suggestions.