When I drink coffee my heart hurts. It feels like I’m pushing it to its limits and I can’t shake the feeling that something is terribly wrong. The feeling is not only uncomfortable, but also worrying to say the least. Before I submerged into this endless pit of physical pain and confusion, I had no idea that coffee and heart disease could have anything in common. I decided to embark on a mission to answer the ‘why’ behind this burning sensation in my chest and the search led me to some jaw-dropping insights.
Researchers have observed a correlation between coffee and various heart diseases. One of the most concerning discoveries revealed that coffee, especially when consumed in large amounts, could lead to an increase in blood pressure. This means, if someone already suffers from hypertension or has a high-risk of developing it, drinking coffee can be a catalyst for all sorts of serious health issues. Coffee affects how our bodies respond to the stress our heart experiences, by intensifying it rather than reducing it. So, when our hearts are working hard, it’s not a great idea to be drinking too much coffee alongside.
Another factor that can cause chest pains after drinking caffeine is how our bodies process acid. We naturally create certain acids in order to break down food and drinks,and our livers metabolize it. In the case of coffee, it includes a notorious acid called palmitic acid. For some people, it can lead to unpleasant sensations in the chest and very likely a rise in acid levels.
Genetics is also something to keep in mind when assessing why our hearts hurt after drinking coffee. Variations in genes that are responsible for the absorption and metabolism of caffeine can result in the body responding differently to it. It’s hard to pinpoint why, but it is clear that some people are more sensitive than others to the effects of caffeine.
Plus, it’s worth noting that in some cases some people aren’t aware that they are consuming caffeine with other drinks and food. I sometimes had to take steps back and observe what I was really drinking and most of the time the answer was more than just regular coffee. Many people don’t give it a conscious thought that some of the energy drinks out there contain not double but even triple amounts of caffeine. So it’s the combined amount of caffeine from different products that can cause chest pains.
Last but not least, it’s important for everyone to know that a healthy lifestyle always includes a healthy diet. As a result, we should make sure to be aware not just of what we’re drinking, but also of what we’re eating. It’s easy to underestimate the amount of fat and sugar we’re consuming and often don’t realize the long-term effects that have on our bodies. All in all, it was very important for me to realize that it was essential to find balance in my life when it comes to consumption and lifestyle.
Managing caffeine consumption
It is necessary to ensure that our daily consumption of caffeine is not too excessive. The caffeine intake of healthy adults should be limited to up to 400 milligrams a day. Even if a person is used to drinking coffee on a daily basis and feels alright, it’s important not to overlook the potential hidden dangers. Limiting the amount of caffeine we consume, in addition to monitoring how the body physically responds, is a good starting point for the prevention of any negative health impact.
Apart from that, everybody should be aware of the other sources of caffeine. Apart from coffee, a lot of non-alcoholic drinks, and some food like chocolate, contain caffeine. People can go for decaffeinated alternatives, which are gaining popularity for those who are caffeine-sensitive or just those who want to sustain a healthy diet.
Finally, it’s worth mentioning that caffeine isn’t the only enemy of the heart. It’s impossible to overstate the benefits of exercising and having an active lifestyle in general. Even simple activities like walking, running, or swimming can make all the difference in terms of increasing our heart health.
Understanding the risks
It is crucial to be aware of the risks related to drinking coffee and other caffeinated beverages. A lot of people assume coffee is harmless and don’t give much thought to how much coffee they are drinking and the impacts it has on their health. That’s why it’s important to keep track of our caffeine intake and to be vigilant of all the other sources of coffee in order to avoid any adverse health effects.
It should be remembered that those with heart conditions or those who are prone to heart disease are particularly vulnerable to the risk of drinking coffee. Doctors and medical professionals recommend that people consult with their physicians in order to monitor their coffee intake. This could be the best way to ensure our bodies are getting the proper nutrition, food and drinks that best work for our health condition.
Beyond that, it’s important to highlight that there are supplements and medications a person can take in order to help regulate their heart problems. Consulting with a doctor should be the first step to determine the best option for a person’s particular case and medical history.
Mindful Drinking
Generally speaking, it’s important to exercise caution when it comes to drinking coffee. Being mindful of what we’re consuming is key to avoiding painful and unwanted reactions of the body.
Even though this isn’t easy to do, it’s crucial to stay on top of the situation in order to keep our heart healthy. For example, even if we are used to constantly drinking coffee it’s important to give our body a rest every once in a while. This can mean taking a break from drinking coffee in order to relief the heart of any unnecessary stress.
Moreover, it should be highlighted that preventive measures are always better than curing. That’s why it’s important to control our diet and lifestyle, making sure that our caffeine consumption isn’t in an unhealthy range.
Scientific backings
A study published in JAMA Network Open focused on examining the association between coffee and some cardiovascular diseases. The study revealed that the cohort in their study had an increase in the risk of cardiovascular disease due to their high-coffee consumption. It was concluded that the more coffee was consumed, the higher the risk was for those included in the research.
Another study, performed in the Netherlands, suggested that high coffee consumption was linked to a higher chance of experiencing chest pain. This research involved over 4000 participants, of which 8% experienced chest pain after drinking coffee. Even though this suggests a correlation between coffee and heart pain, this study alone shouldn’t be taken as absolute truth, as further research need to be done in order to draw a meaningful conclusion.
Interestingly, the New England Journal of Medicine published a study where they followed a group of random individuals over 4 years. Those individuals, who had an excessive daily intake of coffee, saw a 6 percent decrease in heart disease.
This suggests that there are certain benefits that coffee can bring to our bodies if consumed in moderation. It appears as if coffee isn’t inherently bad for us but could even lower the chances of us getting hit by heart disease if consumed in moderation.
My Experience
I took this research and my own experience with heart pain after drinking coffee and started to slowly lower my coffee consumption. I started by only drinking coffee in the mornings, then slowly reducing that to two days a week, then finally I completely cut out coffee from my diet.
Once I got rid of this habit, I started to feel much better. Even though the overall experience of not drinking coffee was hard and at first a bit of a shock, my heart was feeling better and I was sure it was the right decision.
I started to explore different drinks and foods that could give me energy in a healthy way and came across delicious recipes with natural juices and different herbal teas. In case other individuals experienced something similar with their hearts, I’d definitely recommend them to explore different alternatives to coffee and keep a close eye on their consumption.
My takeaway from this experience was that moderation was the key to a healthy life. Even though at first it felt like a burden just to be careful with what I was consuming, overtime this turned into a habit that I started to enjoy and now I can’t imaging going back to my old lifestyle.