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Is Caffeine a Friend or Foe for Your Heart?
Published: Mar 18, 2024
Caffeine is the world's most consumed drug, found in coffee, tea, and energy drinks. Discover how it affects your heart and whether it poses a risk to your cardiovascular health.
How Caffeine Works in Your Body
Caffeine is quickly absorbed into the bloodstream and spreads throughout the body, even crossing into breast milk and the placenta. Its stimulating effects are due to increased heart and nerve activity, and its impact on calcium within cells. These actions can affect heart dynamics and blood pressure.
Caffeine's Influence on Heart Rhythms
Caffeine doesn't usually cause arrhythmias at typical consumption levels, but individuals sensitive to caffeine might experience palpitations. Most studies show no increased risk of arrhythmias, and some even suggest caffeine might have protective effects against certain heart conditions.
Caffeine and Blood Pressure
Infrequent coffee drinkers may experience a temporary rise in blood pressure after caffeine intake. Regular consumers might develop a tolerance, seeing less effect on their blood pressure. However, hypertensive individuals should monitor their caffeine intake closely.
Frequently Asked Questions
Regular caffeine intake doesn't typically cause heart issues.
Caffeine is unlikely to trigger arrhythmias in most people.
Caffeine can temporarily increase blood pressure, especially in non-regular drinkers.
Consult a doctor, as caffeine crosses the placenta and might affect pregnancy.
Key Takeaways
Caffeine is generally safe for the heart, but individuals with specific heart conditions should monitor their consumption.
References
- Rall TW. The Methylxanthines. In: Goodman and Gilman's Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics, 9th ed, Hardman J (Ed), McGraw-Hill, New York 1993. p.1663.
- Cheng M, Hu Z, Lu X, et al. Caffeine intake and atrial fibrillation incidence: dose response meta-analysis of prospective cohort studies. Can J Cardiol 2014; 30:448.
This article has been reviewed for accuracy by one of the licensed medical doctors working for Doctronic. Always discuss health information with your healthcare provider.
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