Caffeine can make your heart flutter. Consuming a moderate amount of caffeine, less than 1600 milligrams daily, should not cause your heart to flutter unless you are sensitive to the drug. Caffeine affects your central nervous system, which could cause irritability, sleeplessness and feeling jittery. If you feel your heart flutter, increase in speed or become faint, call your doctor. Because caffeine is a drug, you may expereince negative side effects that may or may not be related to an allergic reaction.
Caffeine
Caffeine is a naturally occurring substance in various plants and is also synthetically created for use in some foods and beverages. Caffeine is a drug that is commonly used to help keep you awake, increase mental awareness and increase stamina. Caffeine is naturally found in coffee beans, cocoa beans and tea leaves and may be added to soda beverages, sports drinks and energy drinks, according to MayoClinic.com. Some pain relievers contain caffeine to help the body absorb the pain reliever more effectively. Caffeine is sold in an oral pill form that is marketed to help you stay awake. Discuss the use of caffeine with your doctor if you have any adverse reactions.
Overdose
Because caffeine is a drug, it is possible to overdose if you consume too much in a day. A rapid heart rate that makes you feel like your heart is fluttering is a common sign of caffeine overdose. Other symptoms may include confusion, changes in alertness, breathing trouble, fever, dizziness, diarrhea, increased thirst, vomiting, sleeping trouble and muscle twitching, according to MedlinePlus. If you suspect that you have overdosed on caffeine, call 911 or poison control for medical advice. If admitted to the hospital, you may be treated with laxatives, breathing tubes and activated charcoal.
Allergic Reaction
As with any medication, you may develop an allergic reaction to caffeine. A severe allergic reaction will affect your cardiovascular system, resulting in heart palpitations, shortness of breath, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain, hives, facial swelling and nasal congestion, according to the American Academy of Asthma, Allergy and Immunology. Because allergy symptoms and overdose symptoms are similar, your doctor may recommend that you participate in allergy tests to determine the cause of your symptoms.
Sensitivity Consideration
It's possible to have heart flutters from consuming a small amount of caffeine if you have a sensitivity. Everyone has a different amount of caffeine that their body can handle without experiencing side effects. If your body cannot handle even a small amount of caffeine, you may have to eliminate the drug from your diet to avoid heart flutters.
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