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Does Coffee Cause High Blood Pressure
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The relationship between high blood pressure and coffee is a
very controversial and a debated issue. Some studies suggest that coffee is responsible for high
blood pressure, whereas another school of thought holds opposite views. Medical research shows
inconsistent results in this regard and this may be one of the reasons that the debate behind this
critical issue still carries on.
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Caffeine is a potent brain stimulant
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One thing is sure that coffee contains high caffeine content
than the amount found in tea, chocolates and soft drinks. Caffeine is a potent brain stimulant
and is responsible for nervousness palpitations and increase blood pressure. Studies show that
When we take coffee in moderate amount, lets say (about 250 mg a day), which is equal to 2-3
cups of coffee, it dose not prove to be harmful. Anything above 2 to 3 cups of coffee may be a
matter of concern for your BP. Baseline BP is very important, e.g those with high BP values
would likely experience a greater increase than those with normal BP from the same cup of
coffee.
Tolerance for caffeine develops if we use coffee regularly so
BP may not be raised by regular use of coffee. Studies show that coffee by itself is not
responsible for high blood pressure in an individual. Other factors, such as sex, smoking,
educational level, exercise, environment, body weight, your work style, total intake of
calories, alcohol consumption, occupation, family history and many other factors have to be
considered.
Now come to non-regular drinkers of coffee, they are probably
at a higher risk, as the caffeine in the coffee causes abrupt increase in blood pressure.
However, this rise in BP is transitory, and after two to three hours of drinking a cup of coffee
the blood pressure become normal. You may have many long-term health implications by these
temporary effects of caffeine on the body's blood pressure.
According to new research reported in The American Journal of
Epidemiology in 1999 strongly indicates that consumption of caffeine does not contribute to
Cardiovascular disease even for those drinking more than four to six cups of coffee a
day
If you want to be on safe side, keep your caffeine intake as
low as 200 milligrams a day. If you are a coffee lover and also have a feeling that it might
raise your blood pressure, you may drink decaf. Have regular exercise, Follow DASH diet program
strictly and try to keep free of undue stress.
I often advise my hypertensive patients to reduce intake of
Coffee to moderate level of two cups daily. Try to avoid caffeinated beverages (coke, coffee,
tea) at least two hours prior to bed.
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