does coffee raise blood pressure

Millions of people across the globe consume coffee. Due to its stimulant properties, it’s often noted that coffee can increase blood pressure levels. This might make you think, “Does Coffee Raise Blood Pressure?” To your answer, yes, coffee causes a temporary rise in blood pressure immediately after you take it, which decreases with time.

It blocks the activity of the adenosine receptors and boosts some chemical messengers called neurotransmitters in the body, elevating short-term blood pressure. However, regular coffee consumption in moderation can have a little impact on your blood pressure but some people still find that it does cause spikes in blood pressure after long-term use. To clear all your doubts regarding coffee intake, we are here to guide you through this article! 

Does Coffee Raise Blood Pressure?

If you have been struggling with blood pressure issues and often crave coffee sometimes, you would search for the answer to your question: does coffee raise your blood pressure? In general, coffee raises blood pressure as coffee and blood pressure are directly connected. The caffeine found in coffee acts as a stimulant, which can cause a temporary spike in your blood pressure levels.

This is all due to the vasoconstrictive effect of coffee. Stimulating the vasoconstriction action, caffeine content narrows down the blood vessels because of which blood pressure increases for a short period after coffee consumption.

Moreover, caffeinated coffee also activates the adrenal glands to produce adrenaline, causing the heart to beat quickly and constrict blood vessels. Both the causes prompted by the adrenaline contribute to raising blood pressure. Some coffee drinkers experience an increase in their blood pressure within 30 minutes after drinking the coffee. This change is for the short-term, which usually returns to normal levels after 3 to 4 hours. 

How Much Does Coffee Increase Blood Pressure?

A regular blood pressure reading is less than 120/80 mm Hg, which means 120 mm Hg systolic and 80 mm Hg diastolic. Research says around 5 cups of coffee daily leads to a slight increase in blood pressure, which is about 2/1 mm Hg. Another report also framed that after consuming a cup of 2 to 3 cups of coffee, there was an increase in systolic blood pressure, which was by 3–14 mm Hg, and diastolic blood pressure by 4–13 mm Hg.

According to the FDA, about 400 milligrams of coffee per day, around 4 to 5 cups, is safe for healthy coffee consumers. Moreover, the studies also reported that the caffeine limit for pregnant women is 200 mg daily, about 2 cups. The reason is that the higher amount can lead to stillbirth, low birth weight, miscarriage, and overweight or obese infants.

How Long Does Coffee Raise Blood Pressure?

Have you ever wondered if coffee affects your blood pressure? Within just 30 minutes of drinking it, the caffeine can rapidly alter your blood pressure. If your systolic and diastolic pressure increases by 5-10 points, coffee has raised your blood pressure levels. This effect of coffee on blood pressure generally lasts for about four hours.

Though this spike in blood pressure might appear to be a significant increase to you, there is nothing to stress about. About 1 to 2 cups of coffee in the morning does not lead to the risk of developing long-term high blood pressure, also called hypertension. Consuming caffeinated coffee is considered safe even for heart patients if taken in moderate amounts and has excellent health benefits.

Also Read: Is Mushroom Coffee Good For You?

Is Coffee Safe For High Blood Pressure?

If you have been diagnosed with high blood pressure, also called hypertension, recently, you would certainly wonder if it is safe or unsafe to drink coffee. There is no need to avoid coffee, but consuming about 1 to 2 cups daily is usually safe even if you are struggling with high blood pressure.

According to research, only non-habitual coffee drinkers have a rise in systolic blood pressure. According to another study, habitual coffee consumers with less than 3 cups daily do not show an increased risk of hypertension. But remember that if doctors suggest you monitor your blood pressure levels at home, check the readings before coffee and six hours after the last sip.

This will help you record the normal blood pressure levels and not the rise after caffeine consumption. Also, whenever you visit your healthcare providers, let them know the last time when you had your coffee. Do it at every appointment, as it will help them determine how much your blood sugar level fluctuates after coffee. You can also try to understand what a blood pressure test means.

Does Decaf Coffee Raise Blood Pressure?

Different types of coffee are available in the market among which coffee-consumers popularly consume decaf coffee. With this popularity, you might have been curious whether decaf coffee can affect your blood pressure. No, decaf coffee does not raise your blood pressure. During the manufacturing of this type of coffee, caffeine is removed from it.

Before roasting, fresh green beans of coffee are steamed and water pumped. Then, these pumped beans are extracted using a solvent, which is repeated until the entire coffee is decaffeinated. After drying and roasting, your decaf coffee is ready. This coffee typically consists of around 0.3 to 0.5 mg of caffeine per 100 g.

Also, as it does not show any hemodynamic effects, there are no impacts on blood flow dynamics. So, as compared to regular caffeinated coffee, decaf coffee does not cause a spike in your blood pressure levels. However, this coffee type has a small amount of caffeine, so it may slightly affect your diastolic blood pressure. 

What Time Of Day Is Blood Pressure Highest? 

When is blood pressure the highest? Is blood pressure more elevated in the morning? You might have many questions like this. We let you know that blood pressure rises according to a specific pattern. There is a little increase in blood pressure levels before you wake up; it reaches its highest level at midday and drops in the late afternoon or evening.

The blood pressure at night is usually lower than in the morning and the afternoon. Constant too high or low levels of blood pressure can indicate the signs of some health issues that include thyroid disorders, diabetes, kidney diseases, or sleep apnea. However, it is not always associated with diseases.

Sometimes, lifestyle factors like stress, obesity, smoking, and anxiety can also contribute to increased or decreased blood pressure. If you constantly keep getting abnormal blood pressure, consult your doctor.

According to the recommendation of healthcare providers, the best time to take blood pressure readings is in the morning and evening, two times a day. Take 2 readings of your blood pressure with a gap of 1 minute every time. If there is a vast difference in both readings, best to speak to your doctor.  

Also Read: Is blood pressure higher in the morning?

How To Manage The Effect Of Coffee On Your Blood Pressure? 

Remember a few things if you are concerned about how your coffee-drinking habit affects your blood pressure level. First, check your blood pressure using an at-home blood pressure monitor. Using such an innovative device, you can quickly get the readings in a minute or less.

Regular reading is 120/80 mm Hg for healthy adults, and if the reading goes above this range, make sure to contact your doctor. Moreover, switching to half-caff or decaf coffee is a better idea as these types of coffee contain less caffeine per serving, causing minimal blood pressure spikes and still providing health benefits.

Even after this, if you are experiencing a harmful effect on your health, seek professional help. Your healthcare providers will give the best recommendations based on your medical history and overall health condition.  

Summing Up

Well, coffee is the most popular caffeinated beverage all over the world. Consuming it moderately can increase blood pressure in the short term. However, no evidence indicates the spikes in blood pressure in the long term. Instead, drinking coffee may improve your heart health as it is highly rich in antioxidants. Check your blood pressure level before coffee and again after 30 minutes to see if caffeine is increasing your blood pressure. If there is a 5 to 10-point spike, you may have sensitivity to caffeine that can affect your blood pressure levels. The best idea is to talk to licensed healthcare providers who will guide you correctly to maintain your blood pressure and overall health. 

Also Read: Does Coffee Break A Fast?