Health - Caffeine heart rate

[skips]

A few days ago swim had consumed a mix of energy drinks (V and red bull) adding up to about 250mg of caffeine + whatever else is in them, he measured his heart rate with an electric monitor (that can be assumed as reliable) for a good 15mins while seated and not after any strenuous activity, and his heart rate was going up and down quite quickly, peaking at about 110 bpm and dropping to as low as 36bpm at one point, swims heart was also beating irregularly occasionaly as well. Could this be an allergy to caffeine? or something like guarana or is this fairly normal. Swims heart rate is usually around 50 though as low as 40 in the early mornings, and didnt feel any other effects from the energy drinks apart from a bit more energetic

[Lady Codone]

It depends on a number of factors, like how many drinks were consumed, what was in them besides caffeine, your personal body chemistry, full vs. empty stomach, etc.

Some people are sensitive to caffeine and react especially negatively to it (SWIMself included), but you have to remember that it IS a stimulant and increased heart rate, higher blood pressure, shakiness, blood sugar changes, nervousness, and insomnia are normal effects of the drug. And it IS a drug.

SWIM would advise SWIY not to ingest such large amounts in the future. Energy drinks contain tons of sugar and other various substances, so it's hard to pinpoint just what it was that was causing your symptoms. Energy drinks are notoriously unhealthy in general though. If you need a boost, opt for yerba mate, green tea, coca tea, or some Emergen-C, which tastes good and gives a nice energy boost.

[Jatelka]

The widely fluctuating heart rate suggests that the monkey may have experienced a transient Atrial Fibrillation, which can be precipitated by caffeine.

[Potter]

Might it also be influenced by the fact that the patient had their entire attention tuned in on their heart rate? This is a common biofeedback type situation.

[skips]

Swim doesnt his think attention had any effect on the results, his heart rate is usually fairly steady when he measures it with the same concentration. Swim forgot to add his blood pressure - was at 110/160 or 160/110 which is dangerously high especially the 110 value so his mother (a nurse) said. Blood pressure is usually around 75/120. Swim has decided to quit consuming caffeine which is no big deal anyway he never used it more than once every few weeka on average.