If you enjoy coffee but have severe high blood pressure, you may want to think twice about your caffeine habits.
A recent study highlights some surprising findings about the impact of coffee on heart health for people with high blood pressure, while also revealing some good news about green tea.
The study focused on people with very high blood pressure—defined as a reading of 160/100 mm Hg or higher. It found that drinking two or more cups of coffee a day can double the risk of dying from heart disease.
On the other hand, drinking just one cup of coffee per day or enjoying green tea didn’t seem to increase the risk, even though both drinks contain caffeine.
This may seem confusing because coffee is often associated with health benefits. Previous research suggests that drinking one cup of coffee daily can lower the risk of death for heart attack survivors.
Coffee is also known to boost alertness, control appetite, and reduce the risk of certain chronic diseases and depression. However, like many things, moderation is key.
Too much coffee can raise blood pressure, cause heart palpitations, increase anxiety, and disrupt sleep—issues that can be especially harmful for people with severe high blood pressure.
The study involved over 6,500 men and 12,000 women aged 40 to 79. For people with very high blood pressure, drinking two or more cups of coffee daily significantly increased the risk of heart-related death compared to those who didn’t drink coffee.
This suggests that for people in this group, the risks of caffeine outweigh the potential benefits of coffee.
What about green tea? Green tea did not show the same harmful effects, even though it also contains caffeine.
The researchers believe this may be due to polyphenols, which are natural compounds found in plants. Polyphenols have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that may protect the heart and improve overall health.
If you have high blood pressure, protecting your heart is essential. Here are some ways to manage your blood pressure and reduce your risks:
- Check Your Blood Pressure Regularly: Follow your doctor’s advice on how often to monitor it.
- Take Medications as Prescribed: If you’re on blood pressure medication, take it as directed. Skipping doses can lead to dangerous spikes in your blood pressure.
- Eat a Healthy Diet: Focus on fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains. Avoid too much salt, sugar, and unhealthy fats.
- Exercise Regularly: Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate activity each week to help lower blood pressure.
- Manage Stress: Chronic stress can raise blood pressure. Try relaxation techniques like yoga or deep breathing to help stay calm.
- Quit Smoking: Smoking harms your heart and raises blood pressure. Stopping smoking can improve your heart health significantly.
- Limit Alcohol: Too much alcohol can increase blood pressure. If you drink, stick to one drink per day for women or two for men.
It’s also important to remember that everyone’s health needs are different. Work closely with your doctor to create a plan that’s right for you. By managing your blood pressure and making healthy lifestyle choices, you can protect your heart and overall well-being.
Before you decide to grab that second cup of coffee, take a moment to consider whether it’s the best choice for your heart. Green tea, with its potential health benefits, might be a better option if you’re concerned about your blood pressure.
If you care about nutrition, please read studies about a breakfast linked to better blood vessel health, and drinking too much coffee could harm people with high blood pressure.
For more information about health, please see recent studies about unhealthy habits that may increase high blood pressure risk, and results showing plant-based protein foods may help reverse diabetes.
