What happens to your blood pressure when you drink coffee daily

Research has shown that caffeine, the bitter stimulant substance found in coffee and some types of tea, can temporarily increase blood pressure, especially in people who don’t consume it frequently. However, other research shows that moderate, regular coffee consumption does not have a negative effect on blood pressure.

Several factors can influence how coffee affects blood pressure, including the amount of caffeine consumed and certain lifestyle habits.

• Occasional and infrequent coffee consumption: Associated with increased blood pressure and a higher risk of hypertension.
• Moderate, regular coffee consumption (1-3 cups per day): Does not negatively affect blood pressure or change the risk of hypertension in most people, especially women and people who do not smoke.

Several studies show that there is little or no risk to blood pressure if caffeine and coffee are consumed in moderation. The exact mechanisms explaining why habitual caffeine consumption has no effect are still being researched.

Caffeine is not harmful to your overall health when consumed in moderation. However, consuming more than 400 milligrams per day may increase the risk of side effects. People who don’t regularly consume caffeine are also more likely to experience side effects when they consume it.

Potential risks and side effects include:

• Fast heartbeat
• Anxiety
• Insomnia (difficulty sleeping)
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Tremors (tremors)
• Increased urination
• Hustle

Although most people can safely consume caffeine, some may need to limit it or even avoid it altogether. This includes:

• Pregnant people: Caffeine can pass through the placenta (a temporary organ that forms inside the uterus during pregnancy) to the fetus. During pregnancy, it is recommended to limit caffeine consumption to less than 200 mg per day, or approximately 1 to 2 small cups of coffee.
• People sensitive to caffeine: This group is more likely to experience side effects such as irritation, nervousness and headaches.
• People suffering from arrhythmia (an abnormality of heart rate and rhythm).
• People suffering from stomach ulcers or gastroesophageal reflux (GERD).
• People with severe hypertension.
• People who take certain medications or supplements, including asthma medications, certain types of antibiotics, and heart medications. Talk to your doctor about whether the medications you are taking may interact with caffeine.

There is generally no harm in drinking coffee in moderation (1 to 3 cups per day). It can even help improve heart health and protect against disease.

Moderate coffee consumption is associated with reduced risk of heart failure and a reduced risk of death from cardiovascular disease. The researchers note that no conclusive link between coffee and coronary heart disease risk has been consistently identified, so further studies are needed.

There are several scientifically supported methods for managing blood pressure. Try the following lifestyle and diet tips to keep your blood pressure at a healthy level:

• Get enough sleep.
• Drink your coffee black, without added sugar or milk.
• Drink tea. Research shows that caffeinated black and green tea can improve blood pressure and cholesterol, two risk factors for heart disease. Some studies have shown that the hypotensive effects of tea are more noticeable in green tea than in black tea.
• Manage your stress levels by taking time to practice relaxing activities like yoga, breathing or meditation.
• Eat a diet rich in whole foods, such as fruits, vegetables and whole grains, and limit sodium (salt).
• Increase the amount of potassium (found in foods like bananas, apricots and lentils) in your diet.
• Avoid smoking.
• Limit or avoid alcohol.
• Exercise regularly.

If you have high blood pressure due to caffeine consumption and lifestyle or diet changes have not resulted in improvement, consult a healthcare professional. Your doctor can work with you to develop a treatment plan. They can prescribe medications to help reduce and manage high blood pressure, if necessary. These may include:

• Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors and angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs): ACE and ARB inhibitors relax and widen blood vessels to allow more blood to flow through the blood vessels with less pressure.
• Diuretics: Often used with other blood pressure medications, diuretics remove excess water and sodium from the body, reducing the amount of fluid in the blood.
• Beta-blockers: Often used as a backup option to other high blood pressure medications, beta blockers lower blood pressure by lowering your heart rate, allowing your heart to pump less blood through blood vessels.
• Calcium channel blockers: These medications prevent calcium from entering the muscle cells of the blood vessels and heart, causing the blood vessels to relax.

Your doctor may prescribe two or more medications to manage blood pressure. In addition to taking your medications, it is important to maintain heart-healthy lifestyle habits to control your blood pressure.