Hypertension diet: The popular drink that could put you at risk of high blood pressure
High blood pressure: Lifestyle changes to reduce reading
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High blood pressure impacts an estimated 14.4 million people in the UK, according to the British Heart Foundation. Though hypertension can occur for a number of reasons, certain lifestyle and dietary choices can lead to spikes in your blood pressure. In fact, some research suggests coffee could be a cause of blood pressure spikes.
High blood pressure impacts an estimated 14.4 million people in the UK, according to the British Heart Foundation. Though hypertension can occur for a number of reasons, certain lifestyle and dietary choices can lead to spikes in your blood pressure. In fact, some research suggests coffee could be a cause of blood pressure spikes.
According to the NHS, drinking “more than four cups of coffee a day may increase your blood pressure.
This is due to the caffeine which is in coffee.
Caffeine can also be found in tea and energy drinks, as well as some fizzy drinks.
Research shows that caffeine may cause a short but dramatic increase in your blood pressure.
This sudden surge can impact people who normally have regular blood pressure levels, as well as those already diagnosed with high blood pressure.
However, blood pressure response to caffeine differs from person-to-person.
In 2016, a scientific study showed that 200–300mg of caffeine from coffee, which is approximately the amount you’d consume in between one and a half to two cups, resulted in an average increase of 8mmHg and 6mmHg in systolic and diastolic blood pressure, respectively.
Participants were observed up to three hours after consuming the drink, and researchers concluded results were similar regardless of a person’s blood pressure history.
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However, there is some research to suggest that those who regularly drink coffee may have a higher “caffeine tolerance”.
This means their blood pressure is less likely to suddenly spike, compared with someone who rarely drinks coffee.
There are arguments to say that although coffee causes a short-term blood pressure spike, caffeine does not have a long term impact on blood pressure.
In 2016, researchers Fernando Rodríguez-Artalejo and Esther López-García concluded that drinking between three and five cups of coffee daily was linked to a 15 percent reduction in heart disease.
Despite this, however, the NHS advises people to cut down on their caffeine intake as part of a healthy and balanced diet.
The NHS states: “If you’re a big fan of coffee, tea or other caffeine-rich drinks, such as cola and some energy drinks, consider cutting down.
“It’s fine to drink tea and coffee as part of a balanced diet, but it’s important that these drinks are not your main or only source of fluid.”
What are the risks of high blood pressure?
Hypertension rarely has noticeable symptoms, which means many people do not realise they have it.
Unfortunately, the risk of hypertension can be fatal, which is why it is important to have regular blood pressure checks from your doctor.
Hypertension can, in some cases, lead to a heightened risk of heart disease, heart attacks, strokes, heart failure, peripheral arterial disease, aortic aneurysms, kidney disease and vascular dementia.
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