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23 years
Recently when drinking coffee,I'm getting fast heart beats,this didn't use to happen.I don't exercise.What might it be? should I do a heart analysis?
May 29, 2015

Dr. Zakia Dimassi Pediatrics
Caffeine tends to accumulate in your bloodstream and system, but it is possible that there are other factors that may be inducing an elevated pulse that is felt more than usual (what we call palpitations). Such factors include anemia (decreased hemoglobin, the pigment that allows red blood cells to carry oxygen), an over active thyroid gland (hyperthyroidism), dehydration, and stress (whether emotional or physical, like lack of sleep). It would be wise to do basic blood tests (a complete blood count and thyroid hormone levels) along with cutting down on coffee consumption. If you turn out to have anemia or hyperthyroidism, these can be easily managed with dietary interventions/supplements and medications, respectively. If all is normal, you may need to have an electrocardiogram (ECG) to look at the heart rate and rhythm and make sure that both are regular. If no abnormalities are detected on the ECG, then the palpitations are most likely due to stress.
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