What happens to your blood pressure when you drink coffee every day

Medically reviewed by Jamie Johnson, RDN

Key Takeaways

• Consuming coffee can temporarily raise blood pressure.
• The effect is stronger in occasional coffee drinkers, children, and adolescents.
• Regular coffee drinkers experience smaller spikes as they build tolerance to caffeine.

Daily coffee intake can temporarily boost blood pressure, particularly in non-regular drinkers. To safely enjoy coffee, individuals with high blood pressure are advised to consult their healthcare provider.

Coffee Spikes Blood Pressure Short-Term

Drinking coffee can temporarily raise blood pressure:

• Systolic blood pressure (top number) can increase by 3 to 14 mmHg
• Diastolic blood pressure (bottom number) can increase by 4 to 13 mmHg

Example: A reading of 120/80 may rise to 134/93 after coffee.

Coffee is a stimulant. Within 30 minutes to two hours, it:

• Enters the bloodstream: Interacts with hormones, brain receptors, and neurotransmitters.
• Affects blood vessels: Narrows arteries and veins, increasing blood pressure.
• Activates a fight-or-flight response: Increases heart rate and blood pressure.

Factors that Impact How Much Coffee Affects Your Blood Pressure

Several factors can influence how coffee affects your blood pressure:

• Age: Younger people may experience more significant blood pressure increases. One study found adolescents had larger spikes than adults.
• Sex: Research suggests men may metabolize caffeine faster than women.
• Caffeine source: Coffee generally has more caffeine than black or green tea. Sodas and energy drinks also contain caffeine and compounds like taurine and guanine.
• Type and brew method: The strength varies by coffee bean type and preparation method (e.g., drip vs. espresso).
• Tolerance: Regular consumption for about 15 days may cause caffeine effects to diminish, requiring more coffee for the same result.
• Smoking: Nicotine can speed up metabolism, heightening caffeine's impact on blood pressure.
• Pregnancy: Limit caffeine to 200 milliliters (ml) daily. Developing fetuses can't metabolize caffeine, so excess is unsafe.
• Heart disease: Caffeine's blood pressure boost may be more pronounced and less safe for those with cardiovascular diseases. 

Can You Drink Coffee if You Have High Blood Pressure?

Though coffee causes short-term increases in blood pressure, it doesn’t raise the risk of chronic high blood pressure. You can consume caffeine with high blood pressure, but much depends on your blood pressure and whether you’re a regular coffee drinker.

If your blood pressure is very high, be mindful of your caffeine consumption. In one study, one or two additional cups of coffee daily doubled the risk of cardiovascular disease, heart attack, or stroke in coffee drinkers with stage 2 and 3 hypertension. Researchers did not see this effect in those with normal, elevated, or stage 1 hypertension.

Moderate coffee consumption—one to three cups a day—may benefit the heart in people who drink coffee regularly. A multicenter study of 8,780 Brazilian adults between 35 and 74 found that moderate coffee drinkers were at less risk for high blood pressure than nondrinkers.

How Much Coffee Is Too Much?

Health authorities say that 400 mg or less of caffeine (about three or four 12-ounce (oz) cups of coffee) per day is safe for healthy adults. For adolescents (ages 12 to 18), this amount is 100 mg (one 12 oz cup), and it’s 2.5 mg per kilogram (kg) (about 2.2 pounds) of body weight in those under 12.

Drinking more than the recommended or "safe" amount can impact your health and can cause symptoms such as:

• Anxiety
• Elevated heart rate and blood pressure
• Headache
• Heart palpitations (irregular or “fluttering” heartbeats)
• Indigestion
• Insomnia (difficulty sleeping)
• Jitters, shaking
• Nausea

Considerations for Checking Your Blood Pressure At Home

When taking your blood pressure at home, keep these factors in mind:

• Before your test: Avoid smoking, coffee, or caffeinated beverages, and exercise for at least 30 minutes before testing your blood pressure. Be sure to empty your bladder.
• The cuff: Place it in the middle of the upper arm; don’t place it over clothing. Sit and rest quietly without a phone or screen for at least five minutes before starting.
• Your posture: While taking your blood pressure, stay seated with your back straight and feet flat on the floor. Support your arm with a flat surface, and place the cuff at the level of your heart.
• Timing: Take your blood pressure measurements at the same time every day and record your results. For accuracy, take a second blood pressure measurement one minute after the first.    

You’ll need a blood pressure monitor for at-home checks. Many types are available, but the American Heart Association (AHA) recommends an automatic, cuff-style upper arm monitor. Ensure it has been validated; talk to a healthcare provider or pharmacist about your options.

Though home blood pressure monitors are effective, a healthcare provider can provide more accurate and conclusive results. Contact a healthcare provider if your readings are much higher or lower than expected.

Read the original article on Verywell Health