Heart racing after caffeine or alcohol ‐ anyone else?

[Giraffesdotty]

This is quite a recent thing - I don't normally drink more than one coffee per day or consume much alcohol, but if I do I often notice slight heart flutterings/palpitations. I gather this can be a thing as you age, and just wondered if others had noticed it too? Hoping I'm not heading for a heart attack (I'm only 55!)

Not me, but it's not good. I'd get checked out if I were you x

This happens to me with both - late 30s male. It’s been happening as long as I can remember, and I have a clean bill of health.

I can't drink "proper coffee" like from a coffee shop as I get palpitations, and feel like I'm going to pass out! Even a Starbucks latte makes me feel loopy. I don't know why, I'm mid 30's, very slim, & healthy(ish). I think it may be an intolerance to the caffeine? I am also a massive lightweight with alcohol, so maybe as I'm small, these things have a bigger/faster affect on my body.

Get it checked out. I did, it was the menopause 😭

I’ve not been able to tolerate caffeine or some alcohol for years (since turning 30 and coming off the pill. It’s the sulfates in some alcohol, worse in cheap wine. I’d change to caffeine free and different alcohol and see if it helps.

Since my late 40s my reactions to alcohol and caffeine have changed. I just can't tolerate them so well. Same sort of reactions - buzzy, spaced out, pacey and heart banging in my chest. The amount of alcohol I can consume without a crushing hangover (often lasting for days) has reduced sharply over time to the extent I've stopped drinking. Even one glass of beer or wine will make me panicky, less able to cope or stay on an even keel emotionally. I've switched mostly to decaf and drink lots of water as being dehydrated intensifies the reaction.

The banging heart thing is common I believe. Red wine especially causes it.

From what I understand the increasing intolerance with age is very common. I bet this isn't a medical problem for you but it seems like a good excuse to get yourself checked out.

Thanks all - very reassuring. I will switch to decaff and stay away from alcohol for a while!

Worth getting checked out too OP - just incase you've got an irregular heart beat or something. Are you on any meds for anything else? You'll feel better once you've ruled out anything like that.