Coffee - ok or not? - High & Low Blood Pressure Message Board

newcanadian · 03-24-2007, 10:50 AM

As a coffee drinker with mild hypertension, I researched the internet on whether coffee raises bp or not. Half the web articles quote studies that say it has little or no effect, while the other half quote studes saying it has significant effect.

John Hopkins University: almost no effect, drink on.

Zurich University Hospital: no effect, don't be concerned.

Duke University Medical Center: causes high bp, releases stress hormones, and leads to arteriosclerosois, artery and heart damage, and ultimately stroke.

Mayo Clinic: raises bp 3-14 points.

So I wonder which is it? Any other concerned coffee drinkers out there?

Radios On · 03-25-2007, 12:41 AM

I'm no doctor, but I know that caffeine is a stimulant. When you take a stimulant your heart rate goes up which in turn makes your bp go up. So yes I'm pretty sure it will have an impact on your bp. How much of an impact, I'm not sure. Your best bet is to stick to decaf.

jpd39 · 03-25-2007, 06:14 AM

I have HBP and I only drink coffee in the morning. Caffeine raises your BP temporarily versus salt that is a systemic problem. Moderation is the key.

Lenin · 03-26-2007, 06:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jpd39

I have HBP and I only drink coffee in the morning. Caffeine raises your BP temporarily versus salt that is a systemic problem. Moderation is the key.

I drink a LOT of coffee and don;t have a problem with it...I THINK. The reason I say "I think" is that I haven't done without it for half a cenury!

newcanadian · 03-26-2007, 10:30 AM

Lenin,

As hard as this is to do (as it was for me), why don't you stop coffee for one week and see what happens? I've read there are bp triggers in coffee (other than caffeine) that afffect the nervous system, subsequently raising bp.