If you love drinking coffee but also struggle with severe high blood pressure, new research suggests it might be time to rethink your caffeine habits. Surprisingly, the same warning doesn’t seem to apply to green tea, even though both drinks contain caffeine. Let’s look at the findings and understand why moderation might be important.
Researchers discovered a strong link between drinking coffee and heart health in people with very high blood pressure. The study showed that individuals with blood pressure readings of 160/100 mm Hg or higher who drank two or more cups of coffee each day were twice as likely to die from heart disease compared to those who didn’t drink coffee at all.
However, the study also found that drinking just one cup of coffee a day did not increase the risk, nor did drinking green tea. Both drinks contain caffeine, but only coffee seemed to raise the danger for people with severe high blood pressure.
This might sound confusing since many studies have suggested that coffee can be good for heart health. In fact, drinking a cup of coffee a day has been linked to a lower risk of heart attack, improved appetite control, better alertness, and even a reduced risk of depression.
But, like many things, moderation is key. Too much coffee can raise blood pressure, cause anxiety, trigger heart palpitations, and interfere with sleep. For people with severe high blood pressure, drinking more than one cup a day may increase the risk of heart problems instead of helping prevent them.
The research included 6,570 men and 12,000 women between the ages of 40 and 79. Among participants with severe high blood pressure, those who drank two or more cups of coffee daily had twice the risk of dying from heart disease compared to non-coffee drinkers.
This suggests that for people with very high blood pressure, the risks associated with caffeine in coffee might be greater than its benefits.
While coffee seemed to increase risks for those with severe high blood pressure, green tea did not. Scientists believe this is because green tea is rich in polyphenols—natural compounds with powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. These compounds are thought to protect the heart without the negative impact linked to high caffeine intake.
If you have high blood pressure, keeping your heart healthy is crucial. Here are some important steps you can take:
Monitor Your Blood Pressure:
Regularly check your blood pressure and follow your doctor’s recommendations.
Stick to Your Medication:
If you’re on blood pressure medication, take it exactly as prescribed. Skipping doses or stopping suddenly can cause dangerous spikes.
Eat a Heart-Healthy Diet:
Focus on fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains. Try to cut back on salt, sugar, and unhealthy fats.
Exercise Regularly:
Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate exercise each week. Activities like walking, swimming, or cycling can help lower blood pressure.
Manage Stress:
Chronic stress can raise blood pressure. Techniques like yoga, meditation, and deep breathing can help you relax.
Quit Smoking:
Smoking damages your blood vessels and increases blood pressure, so quitting is one of the best things you can do for your heart.
Limit Alcohol:
Too much alcohol can raise blood pressure. If you drink, try to stick to one drink a day if you’re a woman and two drinks a day if you’re a man.
Everyone’s health needs are different, so it’s important to work with your doctor to find the best plan for you. If you love coffee but have severe high blood pressure, you might want to consider cutting back. Switching to green tea could be a good option, as it seems to offer heart benefits without the same risks.
Always discuss your caffeine intake with your healthcare provider to make sure you are protecting your heart while still enjoying the things you love. By making informed choices, you can better manage your blood pressure and maintain a healthier heart.
If you care about high blood pressure, please read studies about unhealthy habits that may increase high blood pressure risk, and drinking green tea could help lower blood pressure.
For more information about high blood pressure, please see recent studies about what to eat or to avoid for high blood pressure, and 12 foods that lower blood pressure.
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