Have you had people telling you to go easy on the coffee because you have hypertension?
With a subspecialty in hypertension, I often have hypertensive patients with concerns on the amount of caffeine they can take, and how it would affect their blood pressure.
If you have similar concerns, and you are wondering if you should quit caffeine entirely to improve your blood pressure, this article will explain more on the effect of caffeine on blood pressure.
Moderate coffee consumption has been shown to have a slight effect on blood pressure control. Several studies have found that drinking 1-3 cups of coffee per day can lead to a small increase in blood pressure. However, this effect is not significant enough to cause concern for most people.
One study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that consuming 3 cups of coffee per day for 4 weeks led to an average increase of 4 mm Hg in systolic blood pressure and 1 mm Hg in diastolic blood pressure. Another study published in the Journal of Hypertension found that drinking 1-2 cups of coffee per day led to a small increase in blood pressure, but this effect was not seen in individuals who drank more than 3 cups per day.
Despite these findings, most experts agree that moderate coffee consumption is unlikely to have a significant impact on blood pressure control in healthy individuals. However, individuals who have high blood pressure or are at risk for cardiovascular disease may want to limit their coffee intake or switch to decaf to reduce their risk.
It’s also worth noting that the effects of coffee on blood pressure can vary depending on individual factors such as age, gender, and genetics. Some people may be more sensitive to the effects of caffeine than others, and may experience a greater increase in blood pressure after consuming coffee. As with any dietary choice, it’s important to consider your individual health needs and consult with a healthcare professional before making any changes to your diet.
Overall, moderate coffee consumption is generally considered safe and unlikely to have a significant impact on blood pressure control in healthy individuals. However, those with high blood pressure or other cardiovascular risk factors may want to limit their coffee intake or switch to decaf to reduce their risk.
References
- Mesas AE, Leon-Muñoz LM, Rodriguez-Artalejo F, Lopez-Garcia E. The effect of coffee on blood pressure and cardiovascular disease in hypertensive individuals: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Am J Clin Nutr. 2011;94(4):1113-1126. doi:10.3945/ajcn.111.016667
- D’Elia L, La Fata E, Galletti F, Scalfi L, Strazzullo P. Coffee consumption and risk of hypertension: A dose-response meta-analysis of prospective studies. Eur J Epidemiol. 2020;35(4):425-434. doi:10.1007/s10654-020-00621-3
- Yang Y, Wei F, Wang Y, et al. Association between coffee consumption and hypertension: A systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies. J Clin Hypertens. 2019;21(8):1120-1130. doi:10.1111/jch.13605
- Noordzij M, Uiterwaal CS, Arends LR, Kok FJ, Grobbee DE, Geleijnse JM. Blood pressure response to chronic intake of coffee and caffeine: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. J Hypertens. 2005;23(5):921-928. doi:10.1097/01.hjh.0000166828.94699.1a
- James JE. Critical review of dietary caffeine and blood pressure: A relationship that should be taken more seriously. Psychosom Med. 2004;66(1):63-71. doi:10.1097/01.PSY.0000106907.88305.20
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About Dr Adrian Mondry
Dr Adrian Mondry is a Hypertension Specialist accredited by the German Hypertension League in Singapore. He was previously a senior consultant in the department of medicine at the National University Hospital and Ng Teng Fong General Hospital (NTFGH), Dr Mondry has more than 30 years of experience in the field of internal medicine.
Dr Adrian Mondry is recognised for his leadership and contributions in establishing the dedicated hypertension clinic within the National University Health System and fast-track deep vein thrombosis service at NTFGH.
Dr Adrian Mondry is fluent in English, German and French.
About Kaizen Medical
Kaizen Medical is located at Mount Elizabeth Novena Specialist Centre, Suite 11-57.
At Kaizen, we provide in depth health care to patients with multi-organs diseases; tackling undifferentiated presentations that cannot be easily assigned to a single organ.
