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 don’t 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 doesn’t really affect their blood pressure for short term or long-term periods at all.
For those who don’t 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 you’re experiencing long or unprecedented periods of elevated blood pressure, be sure to talk to your doctor. There might be an underlying issue that you’re unaware of.
Pre-Existing High Blood Pressure
For those who already have high blood pressure, drinking coffee shouldn’t have a significant effect on either your pre-existing conditions or risk of heart disease. Surprisingly, coffee is linked to helping reduce the risk of heart disease because it contains multiple natural antioxidant compounds which can reduce the oxidative stress in your body. Of course, moderation is key, and any excessive intake of caffeine, for those with or without hypertension, is highly advised against.
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 you’re 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
If you’re concerned about high blood pressure or if your coffee intake is affecting your health, talk to your doctor about your concerns.
Our team at Complete Care Providers is happy to guide you on your health, check for risks of high blood pressure and help you establish a treatment plan to take care of your overall health.
Contact our office today for an appointment by calling us, or by filling out our contact form online.
