Some studies say coffee and tea are good for health, but some people are worried about how caffeine in them might affect health problems like high blood pressure and heart disease. Caffeine is also in energy drinks and foods with caffeine, and it has the same short-term effects no matter where it comes from.
Contents
Effect of coffee on blood pressure
- Caffeine can make your blood pressure rise for a bit, even if it’s usually okay.
- We’re not sure why this happens, but some think caffeine might block a hormone that keeps your blood vessels wide.
- Others believe caffeine makes your body release more adrenaline, which can increase blood pressure.
- People who drink caffeine a lot might have higher blood pressure on average than those who don’t, but some people get used to it, so it doesn’t cause long-term problems.
- If you have high blood pressure, ask your doctor if you should drink less caffeine. If you’re worried, try to have no more than 200 milligrams a day, which is like two small cups of coffee.
- Don’t have caffeine before activities that already make your blood pressure go up, like working out or lifting heavy things.
- Check your blood pressure before and after drinking caffeine to see if it affects you. If it goes up by 5 to 10 points, you might be sensitive to caffeine’s effects. If you want to cut down on caffeine, do it slowly to avoid headaches.
Short term and long term effect of coffee on blood pressure
| Short-Term Caffeine Effect on Blood Pressure | Long-Term Caffeine Effect on Blood Pressure |
| Drinking coffee can make your blood pressure go up for a while. | Regular coffee drinking doesn’t seem to raise blood pressure in the long run. |
| Having 1.5 — 2 cups of coffee (200–300 mg of caffeine) can raise systolic blood pressure by about 8 points and diastolic by 6 points for up to 3 hours. | Drinking coffee every day doesn’t seem to affect blood pressure or heart disease risk in people with high blood pressure. |
| This happens even if you usually have normal blood pressure. | Drinking 3–5 cups daily may even lower the risk of heart disease and premature death in healthy people. |
| If you drink coffee occasionally, the increase in blood pressure might be more noticeable. | Coffee has good stuff in it that can help protect your body from damage. |
| People who drink coffee often might not feel this blood pressure increase as much. | Drinking coffee regularly might have more health benefits than drawbacks. |
Does coffee raise blood pressure
Drinking coffee usually doesn’t make a big difference in blood pressure or heart disease risk for most people, even if they have high blood pressure. Some things in coffee might even be good for you, like helping reduce stress in your body.
But don’t have too much coffee, especially if your blood pressure is already high. If you don’t drink coffee often, it might be better to wait until your blood pressure is better before starting.
Remember, too much of anything can be bad for you, so it’s important to keep a balanced lifestyle. Eating healthy foods and staying active are great ways to keep your blood pressure and heart healthy. So, focus more on these good habits rather than worrying too much about coffee.
In how much time coffee raises blood pressure?
- Caffeine wakes up your body and makes you feel more awake.
- It makes your nerves active and your heart beat a bit faster.
- After having something with caffeine, your blood pressure might be higher than normal for a few hours.
- Drinking coffee can raise your top (systolic) and bottom (diastolic) blood pressure numbers by up to 15 points, starting about 30 minutes after drinking.
- This higher blood pressure usually lasts for about 4 hours.
- Having one or two cups of coffee or tea in the morning is okay and won’t cause long-term blood pressure issues or increase the risk of hypertension.
- Regularly drinking coffee or tea has health benefits and is safe in moderation, even for people with heart disease.
Does coffee have health benefits for the heart?
Coffee can be good for your heart. It has good things like antioxidants, which fight bad stuff in your body. It might also help with inflammation, appetite, and keeping you active. Drinking coffee has been linked to:
- Less risk of Type 2 diabetes
- Being more active
- Losing weight
- Feeling less sad (which is good for your heart)
- Less risk of heart disease and heart-related problems
But remember, how you make your coffee or tea matters. Adding sugar or cream can take away some of these benefits. Usually, having less than six cups of coffee a day is okay.
Worried About Caffeine and Blood Pressure? Here’s What You Can Do
If you’re worried about how caffeine might be affecting your heart, here’s what you can do to feel better:
- Check your blood pressure at home using a monitor. A normal reading is usually under 120/80 mmHg. If it’s higher, talk to your doctor.
- Switch to half-caff coffee or green tea. They have less caffeine and still have health benefits.
- Take breaks from caffeine on weekends or days off to let your blood pressure go back to normal.
- Talk to your doctor if you’re really worried. They can give you advice based on your health and history.
Frequently asked questions
Q1: Is it OK to drink coffee if you have high blood pressure?
A1: Caffeine doesn’t cause lasting changes in blood pressure for most people. But if you have high blood pressure, it’s best to talk to your doctor about whether you should cut down or stop having caffeinated drinks.
Q2: How long does coffee raise blood pressure?
A2: Usually, changes in blood pressure happen within 30 minutes after having caffeine. They reach the highest point in 1-2 hours and can last for more than 4 hours. This means that not having caffeine for just 30 minutes before checking blood pressure might not be enough to avoid its effects.
Q3: Will quitting coffee lower blood pressure?
A3: Drinking caffeine can make your blood pressure go up. Some experts believe it could also make your arteries narrower, which isn’t good for healthy blood pressure. If you stop having caffeine, you avoid this blood pressure increase and any possible problems that come with it.
