Pharmacist's alarming warning about popular gym habit that could trigger deadly heart attack

In a recent Daily Mail article, I commented on the potential dangers of consuming caffeine before exercise, especially for individuals with long QT syndrome, a condition that affects the heart’s electrical rhythm. Patients with this condition require extra time between beats for the heart muscle to reset, and caffeine can shorten that recovery period.

By accelerating the heartbeat, caffeine places additional strain on an already vulnerable heart. In severe cases, this disruption can trigger life-threatening arrhythmias or even sudden cardiac arrest. Alarmingly, even 100mg of caffeine—the equivalent of a large cup of coffee—may be enough to provoke such an event.

This underscores the importance of knowing one’s medical history before relying on stimulants like caffeine for energy. While most people tolerate caffeine without issue, those with underlying heart conditions must exercise caution.