Are you a coffee lover with severe high blood pressure? A recent study has some important insights you should consider.
Surprisingly, the same advice doesn’t apply to green tea. Let’s explore the findings of this study and why moderation is essential.
This study uncovered something surprising. People with severe high blood pressure, especially those with readings of 160/100 mm Hg or higher, who drink two or more cups of coffee every day, are twice as likely to die from heart disease.
On the other hand, enjoying one cup of coffee daily or having green tea regularly doesn’t seem to increase this risk, even though both contain caffeine.
But Isn’t Coffee Good for the Heart?
You might be wondering why this finding contradicts previous research suggesting that a daily cup of coffee could help heart attack survivors and even prevent heart attacks or strokes in healthy people.
Coffee indeed has some health benefits, like controlling appetite, boosting alertness, reducing the risk of certain chronic diseases, and lowering the chances of depression.
However, just like many things in life, too much coffee can be harmful. Drinking too much can raise blood pressure, cause anxiety, heart palpitations, and disrupt sleep.
Who Participated in the Study?
The research involved over 6,570 men and more than 12,000 women, all between the ages of 40 and 79.
For those with severe high blood pressure who consumed two or more cups of coffee daily, the study showed a two-fold increase in the risk of death from heart disease compared to those who didn’t drink coffee at all.
For these individuals, the potential harm of caffeine outweighs its benefits. But what about green tea?
The Benefits of Green Tea
Green tea has its advantages. The positive effects may be due to polyphenols, natural compounds in plants with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that support overall health.
Protecting Your Heart with High Blood Pressure
If you have high blood pressure, protecting your heart should be a priority. Here are some important steps to consider:
- Monitor Your Blood Pressure: Regularly check your blood pressure following your doctor’s advice.
- Follow Your Medication Plan: If your doctor prescribed medication for high blood pressure, take it as directed. Skipping doses or stopping treatment can lead to high blood pressure spikes.
- Maintain a Healthy Diet: Eat plenty of fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains while limiting sodium, sugar, and unhealthy fats.
- Stay Active: Engage in regular exercise, aiming for at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity activity each week to help lower blood pressure.
- Manage Stress: Chronic stress can contribute to high blood pressure. Use relaxation techniques like deep breathing or yoga to manage stress effectively.
- Quit Smoking: Smoking can raise blood pressure and harm your heart. Quitting smoking can significantly improve heart health.
- Limit Alcohol: Drinking too much alcohol can elevate blood pressure. If you choose to drink, stick to one drink per day for women and two for men.
Remember, everyone’s health needs are different. Working with your healthcare provider to create a personalized plan is the best way to manage high blood pressure and protect your heart.
So, before you reach for that second cup of coffee, consider whether it’s the right choice for your heart health.
If you care about blood pressure, please read studies about blood pressure drug that may increase risk of sudden cardiac arrest, and these teas could help reduce high blood pressure.
For more health information, please see recent studies about nutrient that could strongly lower high blood pressure, and results showing this novel antioxidant may help reverse blood vessels aging by 20 years.
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