Caffeine in coffee can temporarily increase blood pressure after drinking, but the level varies depending on the amount consumed and each person's constitution.
Coffee is one of the most loved and commonly used drinks in the world. The unique aroma, easy-to-drink taste and alertness effects are the factors that make coffee popular. Some people notice increased blood pressure or heart palpitations after drinking coffee, while others experience almost no change. This reaction may be related to caffeine.
Caffeine stimulates the nervous system
After drinking coffee, caffeine is quickly absorbed into the body, which can constrict blood vessels, causing the heart to work harder, thereby increasing blood pressure. Blood pressure may begin to increase within the first hour after using caffeine and last for at least 3 hours.
According to the American Heart Association (AHA), caffeine antagonizes adenosine receptors, thereby increasing the activity of the sympathetic nervous system. This reaction can cause blood pressure, heart rate, and alertness to temporarily increase.
Caffeine can also stimulate the adrenal glands to release adrenaline. This hormone makes the heart beat faster and increases the heart's contractility, while also causing blood vessels to constrict, contributing to increased blood pressure. In addition to its effects on blood vessels and adrenaline, reactions to caffeine vary from person to person.
How much can blood pressure increase?
The increase is not the same for everyone. Some people experience only mild changes, while people sensitive to caffeine may notice a more pronounced increase in blood pressure within a few hours of drinking.
Researchers at the Autonomous University of Madrid (UAM) and La Paz University Hospital Medical Research Institute (IdiPAZ), Spain, analyzed five trials on hypertensive people. The results show that consuming 200-300 mg of caffeine can increase systolic blood pressure by an average of 8.1 mmHg and diastolic blood pressure by 5.7 mmHg. The effects appear mainly in the first hours after consuming caffeine.
However, it is necessary to distinguish acute hypertension after drinking coffee from chronic hypertension. Just because blood pressure increases within a few hours after a cup of coffee does not mean that a person will develop high blood pressure if they drink coffee regularly.
According to the Mayo Clinic, people who use caffeine regularly may develop a tolerance, causing the effects on blood pressure to gradually decrease. Regular caffeine intake has also not been shown to increase the long-term risk of high blood pressure.
Response to caffeine varies from person to person
Response to caffeine depends on many factors. According to the AHA, differences in caffeine metabolism genes, usage habits, age and comorbidities can all affect sensitivity. People who rarely drink coffee are more likely to notice symptoms such as heart palpitations, restlessness or increased blood pressure than people who drink caffeine regularly.
How to drink coffee to limit increased blood pressure?
People who drink coffee regularly but whose blood pressure is still well controlled can continue to use it at an appropriate level. However, people with high blood pressure should monitor their body's reaction, especially if they notice a clear increase in blood pressure after drinking or feel nervousness, rapid heartbeat, or anxiety.
People who are being treated for hypertension should also talk to their doctor if they notice that their blood pressure frequently increases after drinking coffee, instead of arbitrarily stopping or changing their medication. You can start by controlling your caffeine intake, avoiding drinking too much in a short period of time and monitoring your blood pressure after drinking.
In addition, you should limit coffee with added sugar, cream or syrup. These ingredients are not the direct cause of increased blood pressure immediately after a cup of coffee, but regular use in large amounts can increase dietary energy and be detrimental to weight control and metabolism.
A cup of coffee contains about 100 mg of caffeine, but this content is not fixed in each cup of coffee. Bean type, roasting method, brewing method, serving size and specific product can all cause caffeine levels to vary significantly. Therefore, do not rely solely on the number of cups of coffee to estimate the amount of caffeine consumed.
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommends consuming no more than 400 mg of caffeine per day which is generally considered safe for most healthy adults. However, people with high blood pressure should monitor their body's reaction and talk to their doctor about the appropriate amount of caffeine, especially if their blood pressure often increases after drinking.
