If you haven't heard of Greek coffee, it's because it's not very popular in the United States. Greek coffee contains about the same amount of caffeine as a shot of espresso and may cause heart-related symptoms if you drink too much or if you're allergic to caffeine. Any heart problems need to be reported to your doctor to determine whether you need medical attention. Do not consume any caffeine until you can be evaluated by your doctor.
Greek Coffee
Greek coffee is prepared much like Turkish coffee, very strong coffee served in 2 oz. or 3 oz. cups with sugar. Greek coffee doesn't require special coffee beans because it's the way the beverage is prepared that makes it distinctive, not the type of bean. One ounce of Greek coffee contains around 75 mg of caffeine. In comparison, an 8 oz. cup of brewed coffee has about 200 mg of caffeine. Greek coffee contains more caffeine per ounce, according to MayoClinic.com. If your body is not accustomed to ingesting that much caffeine on a daily basis, you may develop adverse reactions.
Too Much Caffeine
If you drink too much caffeine in a short time, you may develop common side effects of caffeine or a caffeine overdose. Not every cup of Greek coffee will contain the same amount of caffeine because the amount of caffeine is predicated on how much ground coffee is used, the coarseness of the grind and how long the coffee is cooked. The most common heart-related side effects of caffeine may include an increased heart beat, heart palpitations, dizziness, lightheadedness and irregular heart beats, according to MayoClinic.com. A caffeine overdose can also cause a rapid heart rate. If you suspect that you may have overdosed, call poison control immediately for further instructions.
Allergic Reaction
If you're allergic to caffeine, drinking Greek coffee will trigger an allergic reaction. If you have a known caffeine allergy and you drink Greek coffee, a severe reaction will cause your heart to race with a faint pulse. During an allergic reaction various soft tissues and muscles constrict and become inflamed, leading to life-threatening symptoms. Common symptoms of an allergic reaction include hives, asthma, nasal congestion, facial swelling and digestive discomfort.
Consideration
You may have sensitivity to caffeine. Not everyone's body is able to handle the same amount of caffeine. If you are more sensitive to caffeine, you may need to avoid consuming Greek coffee and other foods and beverages that contain the substance, such as soda, chocolate and tea.
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