Statistics on heart disease in the United States are enough to quicken anyone’s pulse: Every year, almost a million people die from cardiovascular disease (CVD). Every 40 seconds, someone has a fatal heart attack.
And now your own heart’s racing and skipping beats. Does that mean you’re at risk of becoming a statistic? Or are you just anxious, due to chronic worrying and the stress of daily headlines? Or is it just too much coffee?
Our expert cardiologist, Dr. Ola Akinboboye, doesn’t believe in guessing when it comes to cardiovascular health. The sooner you know what’s going on with your heart and cardiovascular system, the sooner you can either relax or take the steps you need to improve your health. That’s why he offers cardiac evaluations and tests at our office in Rosedale, Queens, New York.
The caffeine in coffee, tea, and other beverages and foods can have profound effects on your heart. When you drink or eat anything containing caffeine, your body releases the hormones noradrenaline and norepinephrine, which can raise your pulse rate and blood pressure.
Most people can safely drink 4-5 cups of coffee per day. However, if you have a heart condition or if you notice your heart racing or fluttering, cut back.
In fact, the easiest way to determine whether caffeine is behind your racing heart is to give it a break for a few days. Cut out energy drinks — they’re packed with caffeine. Limit your coffee to about a cup a day (if you can!).
If your heart quiets down, you have your answer. Find ways to minimize caffeine so that you can enjoy the dose you need to rev up your brain without over-revving your heart.
Chronic stress and anxiety can sometimes cause heart symptoms. Panic attacks, for instance, often feel like heart attacks and result in symptoms such as a racing heart, chest pain, and sweating.
Like caffeine, stress and anxiety can release adrenaline hormones, which can lead to a racing heart, skipped beats, and high blood pressure. Unlike caffeine, you can’t just “stop sipping” your stress. It’s part of your daily life.
However, if you suspect that anxiety or a high-stress situation has led to a fluttery heart, try some deep breathing exercises or meditation to calm your mind and body. Also be sure to exercise. Sprint (if you’re in shape), take a walk, or lift some weights. The hormones that exercise releases can counteract stress hormones.
If, after a day or two of practicing mindfulness, your heart still races, come to us for an evaluation. If nothing else, getting an “all-clear” healthwise will help you relax. And if you do have an arrhythmia, you get the treatment you need.
Even if caffeine, anxiety, or stress contribute to your racing heart, that doesn’t mean you don’t have an underlying problem. In fact, caffeine and anxiety can be dangerous in the setting of an arrhythmia such as atrial fibrillation (aka AFib).
Determining the cause of your racing heart can be a simple procedure, based on your individual case. Your cardiologist measures your heart rate and conducts a physical exam. They may also perform an electrocardiogram (EKG) to record your heart’s electrical activity and determine whether it’s normal.
If Dr. Akinboboye can’t reach a conclusion based on the EKG alone, he may have you wear a device called a Holter monitor for a few days. A Holter monitor checks for abnormal heartbeats.
Find out for sure what’s making your racing pulse and palpitations with a cardiac evaluation today. Call our helpful team at 718-208-4816 or fill out our online outreach form.
