When it comes to heart health, the big threats, like heart attacks and stroke, often get the spotlight. But sometimes, the everyday decisions we make, from the drinks we grab to the tech on our wrists, quietly shape the future of our hearts. This month, let’s unpack how our routines can set the stage for both risk and resilience.
Picture this: You’re powering through a busy morning, reaching for an energy drink to shake off the fatigue. Later, your smartwatch buzzes—something about an irregular heartbeat. Even though you’re young and healthy, you start noticing more days with palpitations or unexplained tiredness, especially after that bout with COVID a few months back. Is it all in your head? Or is your heart trying to get your attention?
The Double-Edged Sword of Energy Drinks
Energy drinks and pre-workout powders promise an instant jolt—more energy for deadlines, workouts, and late nights. But for some people, that boost comes with a catch: a racing heart, skipped beats, or dizzy spells that can leave you more anxious than energized. The powerful stimulants packed into these drinks don’t play favorites. Even the fittest among us can develop arrhythmias—unusual rhythms that sometimes need medical intervention.
If your body reacts this way, don’t ignore it. Your heart’s electrical system is waving a red flag. Thankfully, tools like electrophysiological studies and home rhythm monitors can shine a light on what’s really happening and help you make safer choices moving forward.
Tech that Cares But Doesn’t Diagnose
Wearables and health trackers have become our silent partners on the path to wellness. They nudge us to move, reward us for good habits, and sometimes send us warnings about our heartbeat. But as clever as these devices are, they can’t replace a doctor’s diagnosis. If your watch is alerting you frequently, it’s not time to panic, but it is time to pay attention.
A cardiac specialist can interpret those notifications in context, using clinical-grade tests like Holter monitors to confirm if your heart is truly off-beat or if your tech is just being cautious.
Beyond COVID: Listening to the Lingering Heart
We now know that COVID-19 doesn’t always leave when the fever breaks. It can disrupt the heart’s natural rhythms—sometimes for months, sometimes in people who never had heart problems before. Palpitations, exhaustion, and even dizziness might all be signs of post-viral arrhythmias like POTS or SVT. The good news: these conditions can often be managed or resolved with modern treatments, from medication to minimally invasive procedures.
Why Listening Matters
What ties these scenarios together is one underlying principle: your body often whispers before it shouts. Not every abnormal beat means disaster, but when symptoms stick around or technology keeps prompting you, it’s worth listening closely. Seeking guidance isn’t overreacting; it’s a way to protect your future.
Our clinic is here to cut through confusion, offering advanced testing and customized care for people at every age and stage, whether you’re a marathon runner, a busy parent, or someone just starting to pay attention to their health for the first time. This August, let’s choose to listen to our bodies, our tech, and our intuition. Your heart will thank you.
Have questions or concerns about how your lifestyle is affecting your heart? Contact our team, we’re ready to help you understand the signals and find peace of mind.
Dr. Beshai is a board-certified electrophysiologist internationally renowned and respected for his expertise and research. Having published in major medical journals and travelled all over the world to present research, he is dedicated to providing innovative, state-of-the-art care to his patients.