Irregular heartbeats, which you generally sense either as skipped beats or fluttering sensations, can be uncomfortable and worrisome. It's definitely possible to increase your likelihood of experiencing an irregular heartbeat if you drink caffeine. However, sodium--while it isn't good for you in excess--can't cause irregular heartbeat.
Heart Palpitations
Heart palpitations are irregular heartbeats that most people experience from time to time. According to MayoClinic.com, they can feel very uncomfortable--more so psychologically than physically--but they're generally not dangerous. If you have palpitations, it's possible that some of the things you're consuming are bringing them on. If you have an irregular heartbeat all the time, however, it's not due to what you're eating, and you should see your doctor.
Sodium
Sodium is an element that's very common in the food you eat. It's also one of the major components of table salt. Eating too much sodium isn't good for you, and can increase your blood pressure. This, in turn, increases your risk of heart attack and stroke. However, there is no scientific evidence to suggest that consuming sodium can make your heartbeat irregular, even if you consume it in relatively large quantities.
Caffeine
Caffeine is a stimulant chemical that activates the "fight or flight" branch of your nervous system. When you consume caffeine--usually in soda, tea or coffee--your heart rate increases. You're also more likely, by a factor of 1.6 times, to experience heart palpitations or short periods of irregular heartbeat, explain Dr. M. Shirlow and colleagues in a 1985 article in the "International Journal of Epidemiology."
General Guidelines
If you notice that you experience brief periods of irregular heartbeat upon consuming caffeine, you may want to cut down your consumption. If that doesn't decrease the frequency with which you're experiencing symptoms, talk to your doctor. While sodium can't cause irregular heartbeat, it's a good idea to remove excess sodium from your diet if your salt intake is high. This will benefit your cardiovascular health in a general way.
References
- MayoClinic.com; Heart palpitations; April 2011
- "International Journal of Epidemiology"; A Study of Caffeine Consumption and Symptoms: Indigestion, Palpitations, Tremor, Headache and Insomnia; M. Shirlow et al; 1985
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