racing heart rate

[julie northwood]

I am a fit and well 31 year old and suffer with no health problems. The other night i awoke with the feeling of my heart racing and beating out of my chest. i didnt suffer any chest pain or breathlessness during the episode but felt alittle on edge and took awhile to settle down. after thinking about it the following day i remembered i had a fizzy drink,a cup of coffee and tea within 4 hours before going to sleep. do you think i should see my GP or just see it as a one off?

[FLBrat]

Though moderate caffeine intake isn't likely to cause harm, too much can noticeably affect your health. Heavy daily caffeine use — more than 500 to 600 mg a day, or about four to seven cups of coffee — can cause:

Restlessness
Anxiety
Irritability
Muscle tremors
Sleeplessness
Headaches
Nausea, diarrhea or other gastrointestinal problems
Abnormal heart rhythms

You had approx 205mg in four hours.  (coffee: 120mg, black tea: 40mg, soda: 45mg)

[FLBrat]

I think you should cool it with all the caffiene.  Maybe if would be good to switch to water after a certain point of the day.  Good health to ya.