Why Coffee Spikes Blood Pressure
Caffeine is a stimulant that increases brain and nervous system activity.
Its effects on the blood vessels and heart occur between 30 minutes and two hours of consumption.
These interactions cause the arteries and veins to narrow, raising blood pressure.
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Caffeine also activates the body’sfight-or-flight response, during which heart rate and blood pressure increase.
For example, if your blood pressure is typically 120/80, drinking coffee can increase it to 134/93.
Factors to Consider
How significantly coffee impacts blood pressure and health depends on various factors.
These include:
Can You Drink Coffee if You Have High Blood Pressure?
Though coffee causes short-term increases in blood pressure, it doesnt raise the risk of chronic high blood pressure.
If your blood pressure is very high, be mindful of your caffeine consumption.
Researchers did not see this effect in those with normal, elevated, or stage 1 hypertension.
Moderate coffee consumptionone to three cups a daymaybenefit the heartin people who drink coffee regularly.
How Much Coffee Is Too Much?
Doing so can help you track whether treatments or other interventions effectively control your levels.
Youll need a blood pressure monitor for at-home checks.
Contact a healthcare provider if your readings are much higher or lower than expected.
Summary
Consuming coffee can temporarily increase your blood pressure.
This effect is more pronounced in people who occasionally drink coffee and children or adolescents.
Regular coffee drinkers experience smaller spikes as they develop a tolerance for caffeine.
However, consuming large amounts may present risks for those with more severe hypertension.
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2019;14(1):e0210275.
American Heart Association.Home blood pressure monitoring.
