Ahh, coffee. It is a beloved beverage worldwide. Many people turn to coffee for a pick-me-up in the morning and later in the day, as well. Coffee has been shown to offer health benefits, but in non-habitual coffee drinkers, caffeine can acutely increase blood pressure by approximately 5-10 mmHg.
An increase is more likely to occur in patients who have chronic hypertension, especially older adult patients with hypertension. However, in patients who are habitual coffee drinkers, this is less likely to occur acutely. Long-term, a slight increase in the blood pressure of habitual coffee drinkers is possible, but this is minimal, said Justin Green, PA-C, internal medicine, for Wilmington Health.
Green says that caffeine promotes narrowing of the blood vessels, or peripheral vasoconstriction, by stimulating the central nervous system. This occurs by blocking adenosine receptors, which causes increased catecholamine (epinephrine, norepinephrine, and dopamine) release.
“The vasoconstriction can cause acute elevation in the blood pressure, more commonly seen in non-habitual coffee drinkers,” Green said.
But people concerned about high blood pressure can still enjoy their beloved brew in the morning or other times during the day. Green says that two to three cups of coffee per day (approximately 300-400 mg of caffeine per day) appears to be safe for people who have chronic hypertension or blood pressure issues.
“Again, caution should be taken by those who are non-habitual coffee drinkers, as these individuals would be much more sensitive to this amount of caffeine,” Green said.
How different types of coffee uniquely affect blood pressure
Different types of coffee have different amounts of caffeine in them. That factor could potentially affect an individual’s blood pressure.
Also, different types of coffee beans have different amounts of caffeine present.
As previously mentioned, a non-habitual coffee drinker would be more affected than a habitual coffee drinker. Below is a list of caffeine amounts in common Starbucks drinks:
• 1.5 ounces of espresso has approximately 150 mg of caffeine
• 16 ounces of iced coffee has approximately 165 mg of caffeine
• 16 ounces of cold brew has approximately 205 mg of caffeine
• 16 ounces of drip coffee has approximately 310 mg of caffeine
What to do? Moderation is key
So what should people do if they love coffee but are concerned about their blood pressure?
Green offered a couple tips:
• If you’re new to coffee or rarely drink it, ease in slowly to monitor your body’s response.
• Talk to your doctor if you’re managing hypertension and unsure how coffee fits into your plan.
Additional tips: Check your blood pressure before drinking a cup of coffee or other caffeinated beverage and again 30 to 120 minutes afterward. If you don’t drink coffee regularly and your blood pressure increases by about 5 to 10 points, you could be sensitive to caffeine’s blood pressure-raising effects. If you plan to cut back on caffeine, do it over a few days to prevent headaches from caffeine withdrawal.
Green said another step is to be aware of other ingredients that you are adding into your coffee, such as sugar and creamer. Those additives can have negative long-term effects on your overall health, including increased risk of high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes.
“If you are a habitual coffee drinker, then sticking to the routine of two to three cups per day should be fine,” Green said.
Justin Green, PA-C, has served as a board-certified Physician Assistant for 10 years in the family medicine and urgent care settings. He holds a Master’s of Health Science — Physician Assistant degree from South College in Knoxville, TN. He received his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from University of Arizona. Throughout his academic and professional career, he has dedicated himself to providing evidence-based healthcare, as well as ensuring care is collaborative and comprehensive for his patients.