If you’re like most Americans, you look forward to a morning cup of coffee; you may even rely on it to start your day. Coffee is the most consumed beverage in the U.S. and coffee drinkers have an average of three cups a day—that’s quite the caffeine boost! Some cups of coffee are stronger than others. A particularly strong cup can lead to feeling jittery and make your heart race. Sometimes, this effect can be so pronounced that someone may worry they are having a heart attack. How can you bring your heart rate back down? Keep reading for advice straight from cardiologists.?SIGN UP for tips to stay healthy & fit with the top moves, clean eats, health trends & more delivered right to your inbox twice a week?
If you want to know how to slow your heart rate down after drinking a strong cup of coffee, it can be helpful to know what causes it to race in the first place. Dr. Marc A. Singer, MD, a cardiologist with Northwell Health, says that this can happen because the caffeine in coffee increases the body’s adrenaline response. This, he says, causes an increase in heart rate, slightly raises blood pressure and also leads to the more alert feeling that people expect from coffee.Related: Drinking Coffee Has One Very Surprising Health Benefit
“Caffeine is a stimulant that blocks adenosine receptors, leading to increased release of adrenaline,” adds Dr. Aubrey Grant, MD, FACC, a cardiologist with MedStar Health. He explains that this speeds up the heart rate and can make people feel jittery, saying, “Some people are more sensitive due to genetics, underlying heart conditions or medications."It’s not just coffee that can cause this; Dr. Grant says that any beverage high in caffeine can. “Energy drinks, for example, often contain much higher caffeine doses plus other stimulants that can magnify the effect and be far riskier than a cup of coffee,” he explains.A racing heart can be unpleasant to experience and you might even worry that your health is in jeopardy. Fortunately, both cardiologists say that the vast majority of the time, it isn’t dangerous. But if the rapid heartbeat is accompanied by chest pain, dizziness or fainting, Dr. Grant says to seek medical attention. If you have heart disease, arrhythmias or other cardiovascular risk factors and are experiencing a rapid heart rate from coffee, he says this is another time to see a doctor ASAP.
Related: The One Habit Cardiologists Want Every Coffee Drinker to Break
How To Bring Your Heart Rate Back Down
To prevent your coffee from causing a rapid heart rate in the first place, Dr. Singer recommends having it with food and not on an empty stomach. He also says that the slower you drink your coffee, the less likely it is to cause your heart rate to jump.What if it’s too late for that? Both doctors recommend drinking a cold glass of water. “Swallowing cold water can stimulate the vagus nerve, which helps calm the heart rate. The effect isn’t universal, but for mild caffeine-induced palpitations, it can help reset the body’s balance,” Dr. Grant says. Dr. Singer shares that another reason why drinking water can be helpful is because the water helps dilute the concentration of caffeine in the body, reducing its intensity.
Sticking your face in cold water can help too, according to Dr. Singer. He explains that it activates the parasympathetic nervous system, which leads to a relaxation response. In this way, it works similarly to how swallowing cold water stimulates the vagus nerve, which calms heart rate.Related: This Type of Coffee Is the Worst for Heart Health, According to Cardiologists
Dr. Grant says that slow, deep breathing can also activate the parasympathetic nervous system and help slow heart rate. He says light stretching or going on a short walk can help too, by burning off the excess adrenaline.
If you’re experiencing a rapid heart rate after every time you drink coffee, Dr. Grant recommends avoiding it; some people are just more sensitive to caffeine than others.
Even though it can be unpleasant, both cardiologists reiterate that the vast majority of the time, a rapid heart rate caused by coffee isn’t dangerous. But if this feeling won’t go away, you have an underlying health condition such as heart disease, arrhythmias or other cardiovascular risk factors or you are experiencing chest pain or dizziness, seek medical help ASAP. And maybe go for decaf next time.
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Sources
Dr. Marc A. Singer, MD, cardiologist with Northwell HealthDr. Aubrey Grant, MD, FACC, cardiologist with MedStar HealthHence then, the article about the first thing to do if your heart races after coffee was published today ( ) and is available on Parade ( Saudi Arabia ) The editorial team at PressBee has edited and verified it, and it may have been modified, fully republished, or quoted. You can read and follow the updates of this news or article from its original source.
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