Caffeine Blood Pressure And The Heart
Evidence has repeatedly shown that consumption of caffeine does not increase the risk of high blood pressure, heart disease, or heart attack. One very well-known study examined more than 85,000 women over a ten-year period and found that there was no increased risk of these diseases, even in women who drank more than six cups of coffee per day. The Joint National Committee on Hypertension has specifically stated that there is no evidence linking coffee/tea and high blood pressure.
While some studies have shown a weak link between caffeine and elevations in blood pressure, the results are complicated and only consider short-term effects.
For example, one widely quoted study found that blood pressure rose slightly in subjects almost immediately after consuming a caffeinated beverage and that this blood pressure rise was more pronounced in people with pre-existing high blood pressure. However, these elevations were not very large and only lasted a short time. The study also showed that in about 15 percent of people with existing high blood pressure, drinking a caffeinated beverage actually caused a decrease in blood pressure.
Two important studies published in 2007 further supported the existing body of evidence by again demonstrating that:
- Caffeine-induced blood pressure changes were small and short-lived
- Caffeine does not contribute to disorders of the blood vessels associated with high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease
Does Coffee Increase Blood Pressure Or The Risk Of Hypertension
For many people, coffee is an every-morning ritual that makes waking up easier and more enjoyable. Some donât stop at one cup of coffee, though. Perhaps they are a two or three-cup type of person, or they have a cup or two in the afternoon for a pick-me-up.
But is there a danger to all those cups of joe?
Caffeine and High Blood Pressure
Coffee, more specifically the caffeine in coffee, is linked to temporarily spiking your blood pressure. For those who frequent coffee daily, they gradually develop a physiological tolerance to caffeine. Therefore, it doesnât really affect their blood pressure for short term or long-term periods at all.
For those who donât frequent coffee, a small increase in blood pressure could happen for a short period of time right after drinking the beverage, but it should subside after several hours. If youre experiencing long or unprecedented periods of elevated blood pressure, be sure to talk to your doctor. There might be an underlying issue that youre unaware of.
Pre-Existing High Blood Pressure
Balance
When drinking coffee, something to keep in mind is that too much of anything is never a good thing. Always be sure to balance your diet with vitamin-rich foods and physical activity to ensure youre maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
Because there are no proven long-term effects of drinking coffee on a regular basis, there is nothing to be scared of when it comes to coffee and your blood pressure health.
Talk to Your Doctor
Can Decaf Coffee Cause High Blood Pressure
Most experts agree that caffeine of coffee can cause a temporary increase in blood pressure . Though the effect is temporary, but it may be dangerous for those with hypertension. How about with decaf coffee ? Does it also have the same effect?
In an effort to avoid and limit caffeine due to certain health conditions such as hypertension, heart arrhythmia , or if you are taking medicines that are advised to limit /avoid caffeine you may turn to decaf coffee. As the label decaf implies, it refers to decaffeinated which means the coffee has been processed to contain less caffeine.
The good news, the process to make decaffeinated coffee is now safe. Several years ago, some people doubted about the safety issue of making decaf coffee that might cause negative health impact! Today, a few different techniques in production are available.
In the past, the use of solvents was needed to make decaffeination. Nowadays, a new modified machine is designed to use carbon dioxide as a solvent for a direct decaffeination.
How much caffeine in a cup of coffee and a cup of decaf coffee?
A cup of coffee may contain about 95 mg of caffeine. How about with decaffeinated coffee?
How does caffeine affect both systolic and diastolic pressure?
While many studies have confirmed that caffeine can cause a temporary increase in both systolic and diastolic pressures, but there is still no a satisfied answer to explain this.
So, will decaf coffee cause high blood pressure?
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What Should I Do If My Blood Pressure Is 160 Over 100
Your doctor If your blood pressure is higher than 160/100 mmHg, then three visits are enough. If your blood pressure is higher than 140/90 mmHg, then five visits are needed before a diagnosis can be made. If either your systolic or diastolic blood pressure stays high, then the diagnosis of hypertension can be made.
Caffeine Has An Immediate Short
Coffee is the most popular hot beverage in the Americas, Australia and most of Europe.
As coffee beans contain caffeine, that makes coffee our biggest source of caffeine.
Caffeine is a psychoactive drug that stimulates the release of certain hormones in the brain . This is why coffee gives us an energy kick.
Caffeine also gives a kick to our blood pressure, and is actually a well-documented pressor . Increases tend to be mild, in the range of 5 to 10 mmHg. Thats regardless of how often you drink coffee or your caffeine tolerance, although there are always rare exceptions .
Caffeine appears to have a greater pressor effect on those with elevated blood pressure compared to those with normal blood pressure. And those effects are not suppressed by the use of blood pressure lowering medications .
Coffee is sounding pretty grim right now, but caffeine only appears to elevate blood pressure for about 3 hours before the effect subsides .
So what does this mean for our health in the long run?
Summary: Drinking coffee immediately increases blood pressure, regardless of your caffeine tolerance. The effect typically only lasts for a maximum of 3 hours though.
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How Quickly Does Caffeine Increase Blood Pressure
Blood pressure is usually affected within 30 minutes of taking caffeine, with the peak effect occurring 1-2 hours after consumption when caffeine levels tend to be at their highest. It can take 3-6 hours for caffeine levels to reduce by half in your system. Blood pressure changes caused by caffeine have been found to last for more than 4 hours.
Whats The Better Alternative Than Retiring Your Coffee Mug
As a certified fitness trainer, Ive learned that one of the most effective ways to counteract high blood pressure and the onset of CVD is to be physically active, NOT as the studies above prove eliminate caffeine consumption. In fact, as my caffeine and fitness article explains, caffeine can even help you become more fit.
An American Heart Association study, as referenced by several peer-reviewed scientific and medical publications, has recently claimed that people who are physically active have a lower risk of getting high blood pressure 20%-50% lower than people who are not active.
Besides losing weight, there are other reasons to exercise: Being physically active can reduce your risk for heart disease, help lower your total cholesterol level and raise HDL-cholesterol , and help lower high blood pressure. And, again, people who are physically active have a lower risk of getting high blood pressure 20 to 50 percent lower than people who are not active.
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How Do My Genetics Affect Caffeine And Blood Pressure
Genetics may account for up to 50% of differences in blood pressure . There is one gene specifically responsible for metabolizing caffeine called CYP1A2. Depending on your version of it, you are either good to go or youd better be careful.
The CYP1A2 rs762551 C variant is what is called the slow-metabolizing variant. If you are stuck with this, your body metabolizes caffeine slower than normal. Your risk of hypertension is higher if you consume caffeine .
If, on the other hand, you have one of the A variants, or what is known as the fast-metabolizing version, your risk of hypertension may actually be lower . Good news! Caffeine may actually protect you from hypertension!
Now, we wont say this justifies hitting up the coffee shop every morning in the name of good health, but at least you can strike that worry off the list.
Drinks That Lower Your Blood Pressure
If you struggle with hypertension, odds are youve looked high and low for a quick and easy way to reduce your blood pressure.
The truth is that theres no single solution, but making simple changes can yield powerful results. Something as easy as expanding and evolving your beverage intake can help to keep your blood pressure at a healthy level.
While lower blood pressure may not be just a sip away, simple changes to what you sip every day can lead to some big heart health benefits.
Here are a few options to get you started.
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How Does Coffee Affect Your Blood Pressure
As a stimulant, coffee makes people more alert and awake. Over 154 million adults, or 75% of the US population, are reported to consume some form of it every day. Due to its popularity, there needs to be a better understanding of how it can impact your health. Experts agree that in moderation coffee is not unhealthy, but how does it affect your blood pressure?
Seven Things To Eat Or Avoid To Lower Your Blood Pressure
Authors: Professor Clare Collins, Associate Professor Tracy Burrows and Dr Tracy Schumacher
High blood pressure is called the silent killer. Thats because it has no symptoms. Having high blood pressure increases your risk of heart disease, stroke, heart failure and kidney disease.
Six million Australian adults have high blood pressure 140/90 millimetres of mercury or more or take medications for it. Of those, four million have high blood pressure that isnt treated or under control.
No wonder heart disease and stroke directly cost the Australian economy A$7.7 billion a year.
There is some good news. High blood pressure can be treated or prevented. Eating oats, fruit and vegetables and beetroot, in particular helps. So does avoiding salt, liquorice, caffeine and alcohol.
Optimal blood pressure is 120 mmHg or less over 80 mmHg or less. Lowering it by 1-2 mmHg can have a big impact on reducing your risk of heart disease and stroke, and the nations health care costs.
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Coffee May Combat High Blood Pressure
Chemicals in Coffee Appear to Combat Blood Vessel Aging, Researchers Say
Sept.1, 2010 — Older people with high blood pressure who drink one to two cups of coffee a day have more elastic blood vessels than people who drink less or more, Greek researchers report.
As we age, our blood vessels get stiffer, and that’s thought to increase the risk of high blood pressure. The new findings suggest moderate coffee drinking may counteract this process.
Previous research has shown conflicting results as to whether coffee is good or bad for the heart.
The new study involved 485 men and women, aged 65 to 100, who live on a small island called Ikaria, in the Aegean Sea, where more than a third of people live to celebrate their 90th birthday.
“We were aiming to evaluate the secrets of the long-livers of Ikaria,” says study head Christina Chrysohoou, BSc, of the University of Athens.
She presented the findings at the European Society of Cardiology Congress.
Should People With Hypertension Drink Coffee
Drinking three cups on average per day would not cause any trouble, but if you are a coffee lover and if you are unable to stop yourself from three cups, then it might turn into a problem.
Coffee lovers who drink Coffee with more caffeine content can face a risk. People who are regularly intaking Coffee for years together may not be affected that much. Their blood pressure can see some changes, but it will get stabilized after three hours.
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Best Food For High Blood Pressure
A healthy diet along with foods that are high in potassium and magnesium can decrease blood pressure.
I have compiled the following list of best foods for high blood pressure:
- pumpkin seeds
- amaranth
- pistachio
Adding foods like leafy greens,berries,lentils, seeds, and citrus fruits to your meals can help maintain blood pressure and improve your wellbeing.
All these food items are exceptionally delicious. So, I suggest including some of it in your daily meals.
To Sum It Up Does Coffee Raise Blood Pressure
Studies show that coffee increases blood pressure for up to 3 hours , after which it returns back down.
As the effects are so short-lived, for the general population regular coffee consumption does not raise your blood pressure long-term, nor does it appear to increase your risk of cardiovascular health problems.
However, there is a large caveat.
Our individual tolerance of caffeine is largely determined by our genes. Slow caffeine metabolisers have much greater spikes in blood pressure after a coffee, and are far more at risk for negative cardiovascular consequences as a result.
If you suspect you are a slow caffeine metaboliser, and you have existing high blood pressure, I recommend limiting yourself to one coffee per day. Better yet, switch to decaf.
For the majority though, a few coffees per day will not raise blood pressure in the long-run just dont have one before a blood pressure check-up.
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Relationship Between Coffee And Blood Pressure
Doctors often recommend not to consume Coffee before checking your blood pressure. It is regular advice which people have given to their fellow beings.
They think that drinking coffee would increase your blood pressure. But it is conflicting with the thoughts of the doctors opinions.
Doctors have analyzed deeply based on various researches conducted around Coffee and blood pressure.This debate is going on for the long term, and research that took place in 1987 by an Italian expert suggests that Coffee would decrease the blood pressure indirectly.
To have a deep understanding of this research, nearly 15 volunteers from the United States participated in an activity. Those 15 people were non-smokers, and they did not have any issues concerned with blood pressure. Amongst those 15, six of them were coffee lovers.
So Is Good Coffee Good For You
Going by what weve covered so far, you might have guessed that its hard to assess the effects of coffee on health in part because theres so much variability in the contents of different types of coffee. Deciphering coffeeâs effects is further confounded by how differently individuals respond to coffee. This variation depends on factors such as a persons genetics, health, and whether he or she habitually consumes coffee. Caveats aside, lets look at some of the relevant research.
One way of assessing the potential effects of coffee intake on health is to ask people how much coffee they usually drink or have them track their diets for several days and then monitor their health over several years. While this type of study design has many limitations â not the least of which is how accurately people report their diets â it can help identify potential diet-disease relationships. And where this type of research has unveiled possible associations between coffee consumption and health, well briefly consider mechanisms that might underlie these effects.
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Health Benefits Of Polyphenols
Foods that are highest in polyphenols include:
- spices: cloves, peppermint, star anise, oregano, sage, ginger
- cocoa powder and dark chocolate
- black, green, yellow, white, oolong tea
- berries: elderberries, strawberries, blackberries, raspberries, cranberries
- red wine
- nuts
- olive oil
Youve probably seen tea along with these other foods on lists of foods with tremendous health benefits. Interestingly, theyre all part of the Mediterranean diet too.
The polyphenols in tea and all of these foods help protect cells from oxidative damage. They also help reduce inflammation in your body, blood vessels, and brain.
Eating more polyphenol-rich foods is linked with a lower risk of cardiovascular disease, including heart attack, stroke, and high blood pressure.
Nutrients In Coffee Credited For Fighting Blood Vessel Aging
Most of the men and women drank traditional Greek coffee in small, espresso-sized cups.
Greek coffee is considerably stronger, with more caffeine, than espresso, Chrysohoou tells WebMD.
She credits compounds, including flavonoids, magnesium, potassium, niacin, and vitamin E, for combating blood vessel aging by blocking the damaging oxidation process and reducing harmful inflammation. Oxidation reactions can produce free radicals. This, in turn, can start chain reactions that damage cells.
Traditional Greek coffee contains more of these chemicals than most other types of coffee as it is unfiltered and boiled, Chrysohoou says.
“We recommend hypertensive patients drink coffee in moderation, just one to two cups a day, as it seems that it may improve arterial aging,” Chrysohoou says.
One limitation of the study is that participants drank their coffee in cafes with friends or with family at home, in a relaxed atmosphere. Therefore, the psychological benefits of socializing on heart health may help explain the findings.
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How Coffee Raises Blood Pressure In The Long
While drinking coffee may raise blood pressure right after drinking it, the long-term effects are good for blood pressure. Reports have shown, drinking coffee in moderation may be beneficial for it and cardiovascular disease.
The following studies discuss the longer-term effects of coffee drinking on BP and cardiovascular disease. So, grab a nice cup of your favorite blend and continue to read on.
What To Eat To Lower Your Blood Pressure
Rolled oats
A review with five research trials included tested the impact of oats on systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure in about 400 healthy adults.
The researchers found that systolic blood pressure was 2.7 mmHg lower and diastolic blood pressure was 1.5 mmHg lower when participants ate around 60 grams of rolled oats or 25 grams of oat bran per day.
This quantity of oats or oat bran contains around four grams of a type of fibre called beta-glucan.
For each extra one gram of total daily fibre, there was an extra 0.11 mmHg reduction in diastolic blood pressure.
Recommended minimum daily adult fibre intakes are 30 grams for men and 25 grams for women.
While some of fibres effect is due to weight loss, soluble fibres produce bioactive products when theyre fermented in the large bowel. These work directly to lower blood pressure.
To improve your blood pressure, eat rolled oats or oat bran for breakfast, add to meat patties, or mix with breadcrumbs in recipes that call for crumbing.
Beetroot
Beetroot is extremely rich in a compound called inorganic nitrate. During digestion, this gets converted into nitric oxide, which causes arteries to dilate. This directly lowers the pressure in them.
A review of 16 trials of mostly healthy young men found drinking beetroot juice was associated with a 4.4 mmHg reduction in systolic blood pressure. But it found no change in diastolic blood pressure.
Vitamin C
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