From coffee to tea, caffeinated drinks are an integral part of morning routines around the world, but these popular drinks can be harmful if consumed in excess. Drinking more than 400 mg of caffeine per day on most days of the week could increase the susceptibility of otherwise healthy individuals to cardiovascular disease, according to a new study presented at ACC Asia 2024 in Delhi, India.
Regular caffeine consumption can disrupt the parasympathetic system, leading to increased blood pressure and heart rate. Our study sought to determine the effects of chronic caffeine consumption on heart health, specifically the recovery of heart rate and blood pressure.”
Nency Kagathara, MBBS, lead author, Department of Internal Medicine, Zydus Medical College and Hospital, Dahod, India
Chronic caffeine consumption was defined as the intake of caffeinated beverages five days a week for more than one year. The research focused on tea, coffee and carbonated drinks such as cola, Pepsi, Redbull, Sting and Monster. The authors evaluated a randomized group of 92 normotensive and healthy individuals between 18 and 45 years old. All participants had their blood pressure and pulse measured and underwent a three-minute step test. Blood pressure and heart rate were measured one minute and five minutes after the test. The authors recorded information on each participant’s sociodemographics and daily caffeine intake.
The results showed that 19.6% of participants consumed more than 400 mg of caffeine every day, which translates to about four cups of coffee, ten cans of soda, or two energy drinks. Chronic caffeine consumption of 400 mg per day has been shown to significantly impact the autonomic nervous system, increasing heart rate and blood pressure over time.
Researchers said the highest daily caffeine intake was observed in participants who were female, employed in business and management roles and lived in urban areas.
Those who consumed the highest amounts, chronic caffeine consumption of more than 600 mg of caffeine per day, had significantly increased heart rate and blood pressure after five minutes of rest after the step test
“Because of its effect on the autonomic nervous system, regular caffeine consumption may put healthy people at risk for high blood pressure and other cardiovascular conditions,” says Kagathara. “Increasing awareness of these risks is critical to improving heart health for all.”
High blood pressure, also called hypertension, is associated with an increased risk of coronary artery disease, heart failure, chronic kidney disease and dementia. Hypertension weakens your heart over time and is a major risk factor for heart disease. In addition to caffeine intake, there are several factors that can contribute to high blood pressure, including alcohol consumption, smoking, age, family medical history and salt consumption. Increasing physical activity, eating a nutritious diet and other lifestyle changes can help lower blood pressure and reduce the risk of heart disease.
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