Heart Disease: Does Too Much Caffeine Cause High Blood Pressure?

• Researchers report that consuming more than 400 milligrams of caffeine per day can increase a person’s risk of cardiovascular disease.
• They say excessive caffeine from coffee, tea, energy drinks, and other beverages may increase heart rate and raise blood pressure, which impacts heart disease risk.
• Experts note there are some benefits to consuming moderate amounts of caffeine, but most people should still monitor their overall daily caffeine intake.

Whether you’re a heavy coffee drinker or rely on energy drinks to get you going, you may want to consider cutting back.

In a new study, researchers say people who consume 400 milligrams (mg) or more of caffeine per day over a long period have a higher risk of heart disease .

The research was presented on August 15 at the ACC Asia 2024 conference in New Delhi, India, organized by the American College of Cardiology . The findings have not been published yet in a peer-reviewed journal.

“Regular caffeine consumption could disturb the parasympathetic system , leading to elevated blood pressure and heart rates,” lead study author Nency Kagathara with the Department of Internal Medicine at Zydus Medical College and Hospital in India, said in a statement .

“Our study sought to determine the effects of chronic caffeine consumption on heart health, specifically the recovery of heart rate and blood pressure.”

Chronic high caffeine intake raises heart disease risk

For their study, researchers evaluated 92 people between the ages of 18 and 45 who did not have elevated blood pressure.

Regular caffeine consumption was defined as the intake of caffeinated drinks 5 days per week for more than a year. Caffeine drinks were centered on coffee and tea as well as aerated beverages such as:

• Coca-Cola
• Pepsi
• Red Bull
• Sting
• Monster

The researchers reported that 400 mg of caffeine is roughly equivalent to four cups of coffee, 10 cans of soda , or two energy drinks.

They reported that nearly 20% of the study participants consumed more than 400 mg of caffeine per day. They noted that the highest daily caffeine consumers were female, employed in business and management roles, and living in urban areas.

All participants had their pulse and blood pressure measured before they underwent a 3-minute step test. Their blood pressure and heart rates were measured again 1 minute and 5 minutes after the step test was completed.

The researchers said that caffeine consumption of 400 mg daily “was shown to significantly impact the autonomic nervous system, raising the heart rate and blood pressure over time,” a news release stated.

After 5 minutes of rest following the step test, participants who consumed more than 600 mg of caffeine per day had significantly elevated heart rates as well as noticeably higher blood pressure.

“This small study found an association between increased daily caffeine intake and delayed recovery of blood pressure and heart rate after exercise,” said Cheng-Han Chen, MD , an interventional cardiologist and medical director of the Structural Heart Program at MemorialCare Saddleback Medical Center in Laguna Hills, CA. Chen wasn’t involved in the study.

“If sustained over time, the elevated blood pressure could potentially pose an increased risk for developing cardiovascular disease ,” Chen told Healthline.

What happens when blood pressure is too high?

High blood pressure , also known as hypertension, can weaken the heart over time. That may lead to chronic conditions including:

• coronary artery disease
• chronic kidney disease
• dementia

Numerous factors may contribute to a person’s risk of developing high blood pressure, such as:

• alcohol consumption
• smoking
• salt intake
• age
• family medical history

This new study suggests that caffeine may now also be considered a risk for high blood pressure.

“Due to its effect on the autonomic nervous system, regular caffeine consumption could put otherwise healthy individuals at risk of hypertension or other cardiovascular events,” Kagathara said. “Increasing awareness of these risks is vital to improve heart health for all.”

“Excessive daily caffeine intake can cause in the short-term increased heart rate, irritability , anxiety , headache, and insomnia . Over the long term, it can cause hypertension and even potentially bone loss,” he explained.

What’s the healthiest way to consume caffeine?

Chen said there are several health benefits related to moderate daily caffeine intake. These include reduced risks of:

• heart failure
• type 2 diabetes (T2D)
• liver cancer
• endometrial cancer

If you’re concerned about how your caffeine intake may affect your blood pressure, there are strategies to help keep your blood pressure within a healthy range. These include :

• regular exercise
• following a balanced diet
• reducing sodium intake
• maintaining a healthy weight
• lavoiding tobacco
• limiting or avoiding alcohol

Chen advised people to educate themselves on how much caffeine is contained in the caffeinated beverages they drink.

“This will help them keep tabs on their caffeine intake throughout the day and allow them to know when to stop when their intake for the day becomes too high,” he said.

Kristin Kirkpatrick , a registered dietitian with the Cleveland Clinic and author, told Healthline there have been past studies showing that moderate caffeine consumption can produce benefits for heart health as well as liver health .

She noted some past research has even demonstrated that caffeinated chewing gum can boost athletic performance. A simple rule for caffeine consumption is for each individual to monitor how drinking coffee, tea, or energy drinks affects them, she said.

“Most of my patients could tell me immediately how they feel when they consume excess caffeine , so the first rule in any area of nutrition is to listen to your body,” Kirkpatrick added.

She noted that every individual is different, so the effects of caffeine may vary from person to person. She also said that coffee may have different effects for some people than tea or energy drinks.

“There is no one-size-fits-all approach to diet and this is true for caffeine consumption as well,” Kirkpatrick said.

“Finally, I would aim to get the most nutrient-dense delivery system possible. Coffee and tea are probably the best ways to consume caffeine as they contain other bioactive compounds that studies show may benefit health.”

Takeaway

A new study found that consuming more than 400 milligrams of caffeine per day could increase heart disease risk. Researchers say excessive caffeine raises heart rate and blood pressure. Most people can still enjoy caffeine in moderate amounts but should monitor their overall daily intake.