By Damon Raskin, M.D. | Special to the Palisadian-Post
Q: I’m a 21-year-old male and about three weeks ago, I took a serving of pre-workout supplements. After 30 minutes, I had a sharp sudden electrical shock type pain on the left side of my chest followed by light headedness, nausea and shortness of breath. I had everything checked out at the ER. I was cleared, but I haven’t felt the same since. When I drink caffeine, for example yesterday, it happened again. Is there any thing that needs to be pressed with my doctor? I’m assuming a break from caffeine may resolve this, but three weeks is kind of a long time to not feel 100 percent.
Iam a strong enthusiast for regular exercise as part of a healthy lifestyle. However, once you start introducing supplements or energy drinks with high amounts of caffeine and other possible toxins, the health risks now outweigh the benefits.
These workout powders have ingredients that range from caffeine, creatine, high doses of amino acids such as taurine and beta alanine, and dozens more.
The truth is that these popular powders can give you a boost in energy, focus, motivation and concentration … for the short term. But, if your goal is to be healthy and fit, let’s look at the long term.
Some people are clearly more sensitive to caffeine. Common side effects of excessive caffeine include high blood pressure, rapid heart rate, feeling jittery, insomnia, anxiety and headaches, to name a few.
Even drinking one to three energy drinks could mess with your heart rhythm and increase your blood pressure, according to a review of previous research presented at the 2013 American Heart Association meeting. If severe enough, these changes could lead to an irregular heart beat or even sudden cardiac death. Even the taurine, an amino acid, often found in these supplements can overload the heart with calcium, which can also lead to irregular heartbeats.
Beta alanine, another amino acid, can cause that “pins and needles” sensation on your skin after consumption.
I am glad you went to the emergency room to get things checked out during this episode, but this may not be enough for my reassurance. Even though you are only 21, it is imperative that you speak to your doctor about getting your heart checked out more thoroughly from a cardiologist.
Young people may have unknown congenital or structural heart issues that could predispose to sudden death. We have all heard about young athletes who just drop dead on the high school football field or basketball court.
Further tests may be needed including a cardiac stress test and a monitor that you wear for 24 hours or longer, which looks for irregular heart rhythms. Although you may just be experiencing panic attacks, I like to first rule out the stuff that can kill you.
The other important fact with these workout supplements is that you never really know what you are getting. Accurate labeling and purity are always questionable, as there are no federally mandated regulations over them before they hit the market, unlike prescription drugs.
So just because the label says something is in there or promises you a better workout, you should take these claims with a grain of salt. (Although too much salt isn’t good for you either!)
So, what can you do to enhance your workout that does not involve health risks? Try getting enough sleep, staying hydrated, eat high quality foods, avoid refined and processed foods, and stretch.
Once cleared by your physician, get back to the gym. Or, since we are by the beach, get out there in the sunlight. Just remember to wear your sunscreen.
This page is available to subscribers. Click here to sign in or get access.