How does coffee affect your blood pressure?

Coffee is one of the world’s most beloved beverages. People across the globe consume close to 19 billion pounds (8.6 billion kg) annually.

If you’re a coffee drinker, you’re probably well acquainted with the “coffee buzz” that arrives not long after those first few sips. Even the aroma alone can begin to perk you up.

However, there has been some debate about whether regular coffee consumption is good for you — especially in light of its impact on blood pressure and heart health.

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This article tells you whether coffee affects your blood pressure — and whether you should consider dialing back your daily java fix.

In this article

Coffee may increase blood pressure temporarily

Science suggests that the physiological effects of drinking coffee can extend beyond a small dose of wakefulness. Research indicates that it may increase blood pressure shortly after consumption.

A review of 34 studies showed that 200–300 mg of caffeine from coffee — approximately the amount you’d consume in 1.5–2 cups — resulted in an average increase of 8 mm Hg and 6 mm Hg in systolic and diastolic blood pressure, respectively.

This effect was observed for up to three hours after consumption, and results were similar in people with normal blood pressure at baseline and those with pre-existing high blood pressure.

Interestingly, regular coffee consumption is not associated with the same impact on blood pressure — which may be due to the caffeine tolerance that develops when you habitually drink it.

Based on this data, a small to moderate increase in your blood pressure may occur after drinking a cup of coffee — especially if you drink it infrequently.

Summary: Research indicates that coffee may increase blood pressure for up to three hours after consumption. However, if you drink it regularly, this effect is diminished.

Potential long-term effects

Though coffee may temporarily increase your blood pressure after drinking it, this effect doesn’t seem to extend far beyond the short term.

For people with high blood pressure, current research suggests that daily coffee consumption is unlikely to significantly impact blood pressure or the overall risk of heart disease.

Coffee may provide some health benefits.

For otherwise healthy people, research indicates that drinking 3–5 cups of coffee daily is linked to a 15% reduction in heart disease risk and a lower risk of premature death.

Coffee contains multiple bioactive compounds that have strong antioxidant effects and may reduce oxidative stress in your body.

Some researchers theorize that coffee’s health benefits may outweigh any potential adverse effects that caffeine could have on those who drink it regularly.

Still, more research is needed to understand better how coffee affects human health in the long term. It appears to be perfectly safe and may even be a valuable habit.

Summary: Though long-term research is limited, some data indicates that drinking coffee frequently is not associated with increased blood pressure or heart disease risk. Coffee contains antioxidants that may promote heart health.

Should you avoid coffee if you have high blood pressure?

For most people, moderate coffee consumption is unlikely to affect blood pressure or heart disease risk significantly — even if you have been previously diagnosed with high blood pressure.

The opposite may be true.

Some of the bioactive compounds present in coffee may offer health benefits, including reduced oxidative stress and inflammation.

Of course, excessive exposure to caffeine is ill-advised, especially if you already have high blood pressure.

If you don’t already drink coffee regularly, you may want to wait until your blood pressure is under control before adding this beverage to your routine, as it may increase your blood pressure in the short term.

Remember that eating or drinking too much of anything can lead to adverse health effects — coffee is no exception. It’s always essential to maintain balance in your lifestyle and dietary habits.

Regular physical activity paired with a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, lean protein, and whole grains remains among the best ways to promote healthy blood pressure and heart health.

Focusing on these healthy behaviors is likely a better energy use than being overly concerned about your coffee intake.

Summary: Moderate coffee consumption regularly is unlikely to worsen health outcomes in people with high blood pressure. Maintaining a balanced diet and healthy lifestyle will likely impact blood pressure more than coffee consumption.