Coffee lovers, rejoice! There are several studies out now suggesting there is very little risk of coronary heart disease and heart attack among caffeinated coffee drinkers. In fact, one study published in the American Heart Association journal, Circulation: Heart Failure, found that the more coffee people consumed, the lower their risk for heart failure. While these findings help quell the belief that coffee is bad for you, there’s still a lot more to learn about the link between coffee and heart health. If you’ve been wondering, “Can coffee increase my heart rate?” or “Is there a link between coffee and blood pressure?” the cardiologists at AMS are here to answer those questions and more.
Can Coffee Increase Heart Rate?
After taking that first sip of coffee, caffeine enters your bloodstream from the stomach and small intestine, stimulating your central nervous system. Your cell’s receptors within your heart are accelerated, causing a slight increase in your heart rate (about three beats per minute). The increase in heart rate differs among individuals. The amount of increase depends on several factors, including:
- Amount of caffeine consumed
- Frequency of consumption
- A person’s size
- Overall physiology
After consumption, the effects of caffeine can happen in as soon as fifteen minutes and last for hours. As long as you don’t experience symptoms like lightheadedness or dizziness, a temporary increase in heart rate should not have any lasting or noticeable effects on your body.
Coffee and Blood Pressure
Two other significant studies to note are the Framingham Heart Study and a 2014 review in Circulation. The Framingham Heart Study found that adults who drank any amount of caffeinated coffee saw a 43% reduction in death from heart disease compared to non-coffee drinkers. The Circulation study found that adults who drank three to five cups of caffeinated coffee per day had a lower risk of heart disease compared to those who drank no cups or who exceeded six or more cups daily. While there’s mounting evidence suggesting coffee is okay in moderation, there are still several variables involved to definitively conclude that coffee is good for your heart. While coffee and caffeine are often considered “bad” for your heart because of affiliations like palpitations, high blood pressure, and more, the relationship between an increase in consumption and a decrease in heart disease outweighs these negative connotations.
How to Keep Your Heart Healthy
Federal dietary guidelines state that enjoying three to five 8-ounce cups of black coffee a day can be a part of a healthy diet plan. In addition, there are a variety of other ways you can lower your risk of coronary heart disease, including:
- Moderate amounts of exercise daily
- Managing stress
- Keeping your cholesterol levels down
- Avoiding smoking
- Maintaining a healthy weight
- Eating a balanced diet
- Limiting sugary, processed foods
Why Choose AMS Cardiology for All Your Heart Health Needs?
If you’ve been looking for the best cardiologists nearby, stop your search and consider contacting AMS Cardiology today! We are the leading cardiologist group in the Greater Philadelphia Area and have been serving patients for over fifty years with excellent customer satisfaction. We are committed to preventing and treating all aspects of cardiovascular disease, and we bring the latest, state-of-the-art cardiovascular care to our patients. Contact us today at 215-517-1000 to schedule an appointment.
