A recent study suggests that drinking two or more cups of coffee per day may double the risk of death from heart disease for people with severe high blood pressure. This applies to those with a blood pressure reading of 160/100 mm Hg or higher, which is considered a serious health risk.
However, the same study found that drinking one cup of coffee or regularly consuming green tea did not increase the risk of heart-related death, regardless of blood pressure levels. Both drinks contain caffeine, but green tea is also rich in polyphenols, plant compounds with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that may have protective effects on heart health.
Coffee and Heart Health: A Double-Edged Sword
Previous research has shown that drinking one cup of coffee per day may actually benefit heart attack survivors by lowering their risk of death. Regular coffee consumption has also been linked to a lower risk of chronic illnesses, improved appetite control, reduced depression risk, and increased alertness.
However, excessive coffee intake can be harmful. Too much caffeine may raise blood pressure, trigger anxiety, cause heart palpitations, and lead to difficulty sleeping. For people with severe high blood pressure, these effects may outweigh any potential benefits and increase the risk of heart disease-related death.
Key Findings from the Study
The study examined data from over 6,570 men and 12,000 women, ages 40 to 79, who were monitored for their coffee and tea consumption. Researchers classified blood pressure into five categories, with grades 2 and 3 considered severe hypertension.
The main findings include:
- **People with severe high blood pressure who drank two or more cups of coffee daily had twice the risk of dying from heart disease compared to those who drank no coffee.
- One cup of coffee per day did not increase heart disease-related death risk at any blood pressure level.
- Drinking green tea regularly did not raise heart disease risk, possibly due to its beneficial plant compounds.
The researchers suggest that people with severe hypertension should limit or avoid coffee, as the negative effects of caffeine may increase their risk of heart-related complications.
How to Protect Your Heart If You Have High Blood Pressure
High blood pressure (hypertension) is a major risk factor for heart disease and stroke. If you have high blood pressure, here are some steps you can take to protect your heart health:
- Monitor Your Blood Pressure Regularly: Keep track of your blood pressure at home or with regular doctor visits. This helps identify any dangerous changes early.
- Take Medication as Prescribed: If your doctor has prescribed blood pressure medication, take it exactly as directed. Skipping doses or stopping medication suddenly can cause dangerous spikes in blood pressure.
- Eat a Heart-Healthy Diet: Focus on whole foods such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats. Limit processed foods, salt, sugar, and unhealthy fats.
- Exercise Regularly: Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate exercise per week (e.g., brisk walking, cycling). Regular movement helps lower blood pressure and strengthens the heart.
- Manage Stress: Chronic stress can raise blood pressure. Relaxation techniques such as deep breathing, meditation, or yoga can help.
- Quit Smoking: Smoking increases blood pressure and damages blood vessels. Quitting can significantly reduce your heart disease risk.
- Limit Alcohol Intake: Drinking too much alcohol can raise blood pressure. Stick to one drink per day for women and two for men at most.
Final Thoughts
This study highlights the importance of moderation in coffee consumption, especially for those with severe high blood pressure. While coffee has potential health benefits, drinking too much may put people with uncontrolled hypertension at greater risk of heart-related death.
On the other hand, green tea appears to be a safer option, possibly due to its antioxidants and other beneficial compounds. If you have severe hypertension, it may be best to cut back on coffee or switch to decaf or green tea.
This study, led by Hiroyasu Iso, was published in the Journal of the American Heart Association. It adds to the growing body of research on how lifestyle choices—such as diet, caffeine intake, and exercise—can impact heart health and longevity.
If you care about heart health, please read studies that vitamin K helps cut heart disease risk by a third, and a year of exercise reversed worrisome heart failure.
For more health information, please see recent studies about supplements that could help prevent heart disease, stroke, and results showing this food ingredient may strongly increase heart disease death risk.
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