Can Coffee Cause High Blood Pressure?

There doesn't seem to be a completely clear cut answer to the question of whether coffee causes high blood pressure. In some people, who may be extremely sensitive to caffeine, this may be the case. In other people who are regular caffeine users, it doesn't seem to have any impact on their blood pressure rate whatsoever. Even in other cases, it appears that caffeine may be beneficial in keeping blood pressure down.

Expert Insight

• Dr. Sheldon G. Sheps of the Mayo Clinic reports that the amount of caffeine found in two to three cups of coffee is capable of raising systolic pressure 3 to 14 millimeters of mercury (mm Hg) as well as raising diastolic pressure 4 to 13 mm Hg in people without high blood pressure. The effects of caffeine on blood pressure may be more pronounced in someone who doesn't regularly consume caffeine.

Theories/Speculation

• Scientific researchers have concluded that caffeine may stimulate the adrenal gland, telling it to release more adrenaline and cortisol. When this happens, your blood pressure can increase. It the belief of some researchers that caffeine causes the blood vessels to narrow by blocking the hormone adenosine, which helps keep the vessels wide, according to Mayoclinic.com

Mixed Outcomes

• Studies have shown that people who regularly drink caffeine have a higher average blood pressure than those who don't consume caffeine. However, studies have also shown that those who drink caffeine regularly appear to develop a tolerance to it and ultimately there doesn't seem to be a long-term effect on their blood pressure.

Women

• Another study revealed that women who drink caffeinated beverages (not including coffee) may run a higher risk of developing high blood pressure whereas women who drink coffee with caffeine may actually have a reduced risk of high blood pressure.

Effects

• Even more perplexing is the result of a study done in 2007, according to the Mayo Clinic, that revealed that women who drink six cups of caffeinated coffer per day have a lower risk of high blood pressure than do women who drink three or fewer cups daily. However, the same study noted that women and men who never drink coffee also have lower risks of acquiring high blood pressure.

Evidence

• Matt Pitcher, a certified fitness trainer, of Ineedcoffee.com, notes that a 1997 study done by the National Institute of Health's Joint National Committee on Prevention, Detection, Evaluation and Treatment of High Blood Pressure found that there was "no direct relationship between caffeine intake and elevated blood pressure ... in most epidemiologic surveys." In addition, studies reviewed in the Progress in Cardiovascular Diseases conclude that changes in blood pressure do not appear to occur when caffeine is regularly consumed.

Considerations

• If you think caffeine is causing your blood pressure to go up, check your blood pressure within 30 minutes of drinking a caffeine beverage that you normally consume. According to the Mayoclinic.com, if your blood pressure raises by 5 to 10 points, you may be very sensitive to caffeine and should consider cutting back.