Can Caffeine Cause Chest Pains?

crazy by Editorial Staff | Updated on April 26th, 2023
caffeine chest pain

If you want the short answer, if coffee or any caffeine consumption cause chest pains, the answer is yes. Drinking too much caffeine may cause several issues like headaches, nausea, anxiety, trouble sleeping, irritability, respiratory issues, chest pain, thirst, and frequent urination. But, of course, a specific individual may be more sensitive and encounter these effects at even lower doses.


Drinking coffee, tea, or other similar beverages is part of many adults’ daily routines today. Coffee is excellent for keeping people alert and awake in the mornings, and they like this effect.

There are many positive effects of caffeine, besides the stimulating effects, such as improved mental focus and alertness.

However, too much caffeine can result in some untoward side effects. While chest pain may not be one of these side effects, too much caffeine or coffee can cause anxiety, restlessness, and migraines.

Does caffeine cause chest pain?

Too much caffeine or moderate caffeine intake in sensitive individuals is linked to many side effects, like anxiety, rapid heartbeat, and insomnia.

It may be possible that some of these symptoms, especially when severe, might be misconstrued as chest pain. 

Coffee can worsen symptoms of acid reflux or heartburn, similar to chest pain. Therefore, individuals may experience chest pain and associated symptoms with excess caffeine intake.

Also, research reveals some reports of severe chest pain linked to caffeine.

For example, a 19-year-old male with a two-year history of drinking caffeine-containing energy drinks suffered chest pain and a heart attack daily. While his constant and significantly high caffeine intake was the suspected cause, the particular energy drink contained elevated taurine doses.

It was not investigated whether this amino acid can be linked directly to heart conditions or whether the interaction with coffee contributed to it. 

Caffeine sources

According to a study published in “American Society for Nutrition,” the diet of eighty-nine percent of American adults contains caffeine, and seventy percent of this caffeine is from coffee. In addition, there are various other caffeine sources, including energy drinks, soft drinks, chocolate, tea, and some painkillers that have caffeine.

An 8-ounce cup can have up to 95 to 200 milligrams of caffeine. However, soft drinks and tea usually contain less than 50 milligrams of caffeine every 12 ounces.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has stated that less than 400 milligrams of daily caffeine intake in adults is a moderate amount and is not associated with untoward or harmful effects. Caffeine consumption is not advisable in adolescents and children.

How much caffeine is too much for you?

A healthy person can safely tolerate 400 milligrams of caffeine (more or less) daily.

According to the Mayo Clinic, this is equivalent to about four cups of coffee and is considered moderate caffeine consumption. However, it is essential to note that excessive caffeine consumption can still harm your body in other ways.

Here are some of the adverse side effects of consuming large amounts of caffeine regularly:

  • Tremors
  • Headaches
  • Heartburn
  • Insomnia
  • Irritability
  • Nervousness
  • Rapid heart rate
  • Frequent urination

Can coffee cause heart problems?

No, If you are a healthy adult who does not consume excessive amounts of coffee, it is unlikely that you will develop cardiovascular problems as a result of caffeine.

A couple of small cups of coffee per day should suffice.

However…

Avoid large cups with a lot of cream and sugar in addition to the coffee.

Energy drinks have a high caffeine content and should be avoided if possible. This is especially true if you are a teen.

Heart problems and acid reflux are the two most common causes.

To avoid heart problems, up to 400mg of caffeine per day appears safe for healthy adults, equivalent to 4 small cups or 2 energy drinks.

However, it’s good to check how much caffeine is in your coffee because some companies sell coffee with high caffeine content.

Use our caffeine calculator to see what caffeinated beverages have caffeine and how much they have!

If you have acid reflux, even one cup of coffee may cause symptoms, mainly if it contains fatty milk or a lot of sugar.

But coffee is healthy for your heart, right?

According to the American Heart Association, coffee is an excellent source of antioxidants. In addition, coffee consumption has been linked to a lower risk of heart disease, and some studies have shown that it may help people live longer.

How caffeine affects the cardiovascular

One of the effects of caffeine on the cardiovascular system is vasoconstriction, which means narrowing blood vessels. Caffeine can behave like vasoconstrictors and cause the narrowing of blood vessels, and this effect is linked to chest pain, elevated blood pressure, and cardiovascular disease.

There are some intricacies to the cardiovascular effects of caffeine. First, after consuming caffeine, short transient constriction of blood flow occurs, which can cause a temporary increase in heart rate and blood pressure. This effect is more prominent in coffee drinkers who do not frequently consume caffeinated drinks. 

According to a review in the American College of Cardiology journal, caffeine may have vasodilatory effects, enhancing blood flow in the vessels.

The study also stated that mild to moderate caffeine consumption is not directly related to heart disease or elevated blood pressure. However, it can be linked to various positive effects on the body and lower the risk of death from various causes.

Is it possible for coffee to cause acid reflux?

Even though scientific studies on coffee and heartburn have yielded conflicting results, experience has shown that coffee can cause heartburn.

Caffeinated beverages, such as coffee, some soft drinks, and certain types of teas, can aggravate acid reflux symptoms.

If you drink coffee with fatty milk or sugar, or if you drink sugary soda, your reflux symptoms may worsen.

Coffee and caffeine, like alcohol, can reduce the pressure in the LES (Lower Esophageal Sphincter).

When the LES works properly, it allows food to enter the stomach but closes to prevent stomach acid from entering the esophagus. If your LES isn’t working correctly, acid from your stomach will begin to leave your stomach and travel up your throat, causing chest pain.

Caffeine can aggravate the situation by increasing stomach acid secretion. Caffeine irritates the stomach because it increases the production of gastric acid.

This means that acid is entering the throat due to a relaxed LES, and the stomach is producing more acid.

But, I experience pain in the middle of my chest after drinking coffee

Pain in the center of the chest after drinking coffee may feel like a heart attack, but it is rarely the case.

Unless you drank too much coffee or already have heart problems, the following conditions are more likely to cause middle-of-the-night chest pain:

  • heartburn or acid reflux
  • coffee allergy, gallbladder attack,
  • ulcer,
  • esophageal spams, if the coffee was very hot or cold

Heartburn is the most likely cause. If stomach acids flow back into the esophagus and irritate it, you may experience a burning sensation. In addition, because the esophagus is located in the center of the chest, you may experience pain in the center of your chest.

However, consult with your doctor to determine the exact cause.

Coffee allergy vs. coffee sensitivity

Some coffee-sensitive people incorrectly believe they’re allergic to it. Coffee sensitivity can cause troublesome symptoms but is typically not life-threatening.

Symptoms of coffee sensitivity can include:

  • feelings of jitteriness and unease
  • irritability
  • anxiety or nervousness
  • trouble sleeping or insomnia
  • upset stomach
  • abdominal cramps
  • elevated heartbeat or blood pressure
  • involuntary muscle spasms

Symptoms of coffee sensitivity usually go away if the person avoids drinking coffee.

Can coffee lead to GERD?

People sensitive to coffee may have a stomach upset, or symptoms related to other problems may get worse. Coffee, for example, can exacerbate heartburn and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). In addition, caffeine in coffee will relax the sphincter at the bottom of the food pipe, causing leakage and stomach acid irritation.

Allergies can be confused with symptoms triggered by excess caffeine or caffeine sensitivity. Many people who get sick from drinking coffee simply see the caffeine sensitivity.

People who do not drink caffeine regularly or are sensitive to caffeine can experience symptoms after small amounts of caffeine, such as 1 cup of coffee or tea. In addition, if a person is not used to caffeinated beverages, symptoms can occur because the body is not used to processing and removing the caffeine from the system.

Too much caffeine has similar effects to coffee allergy. Besides these symptoms, in someone sensitive to caffeine, too much caffeine may cause symptoms like:

  • chest pain
  • heart palpitations
  • mood swings, anger, or depression
  • numbness in the extremities
  • muscle pains
  • shortness of breath
  • headaches or migraines
  • delusions or hallucinations
  • cold sweats
  • flu-like symptoms
  • panic attacks

Although rare, caffeine itself can also be allergic. In addition, some people can experience allergic reactions, which may lead to anaphylaxis.

Coffee beans contain several substances that some people can react to. For example, beans may have come into contact with pesticides or chemicals during growing and transportation.

People who drink milk or cream coffee can respond to milk. Heavily sweetened beverages can react to sugar. Flavored syrups may also contain several other ingredients responsible for allergy or intolerance symptoms.

Any new signs should be reported to a doctor or allergist immediately to discuss an action plan.

How to stop chest pain from coffee?

Limiting your coffee or caffeine consumption if it is causing you chest discomfort or other symptoms is best.

However, if you have already consumed caffeine and are experiencing acid reflux, it is time to take action to alleviate the pain in your chest. Some of the best options for reducing acid reflux after caffeine consumption include:

  • Drink apple cider vinegar: This can provide immediate relief. Take it with or without water.
  • Combine baking soda and lukewarm water.
  • Raise your head in bed or make sure your upper body is elevated at least slightly for comfort.
  • Tight clothing should be avoided because it can put pressure on the stomach.
  • Some lavender or chamomile tea will be beneficial. Make sure it’s caffeine-free, and combine it with licorice root powder.

Conclusion & Warnings

Yes, coffee or caffeine causes chest pain. However, moderate caffeine intake is relatively safe for many people.

However, if you are experiencing insomnia or are currently being treated for specific medical conditions, discuss your intended caffeine use with your doctor.

Caffeine-containing pills can provide a high amount of caffeine, and such levels can be unsafe for you. Therefore, take such drugs only with a doctor’s recommendation and supervision.

Chest pain has numerous causes, and some could be dangerous and severe, so a doctor must assess any form of chest pain. If caffeine is the most likely cause of chest pain, cut back on the substance, or avoid it.

Seek emergency medical help if you experience chest pain, tightness, or sharp crushing chest pain that radiates to the arm, neck, or back. Also, seek medical attention if chest pain is assigned to jaw or back pain, sweating, shortness of breath, or dizziness.

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Disclosure: No compensation or free products were received in exchange for writing this review.

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Editorial Staff

The editorial staff at Crazy Coffee Crave is a team of coffee enthusiasts & Baristas who enjoy the one thing we all think about as soon as we get up in the morning. Trusted by thousands of readers worldwide.