Ask the doctor: Can drinking coffee raise blood pressure?

Question: I came across a WhatsApp message that says drinking coffee can raise blood pressure. A doctor also advised my friend with low blood pressure to consume coffee. Does coffee increase blood pressure, for real? Is it a concern for people with high blood pressure? How many cups of coffee can one safely drink without it affecting our health?

Answer: Coffee can indeed lead to a slight increase in blood pressure. There are various reasons cited as to why this happens. One theory proposes that caffeine stimulates the adrenal glands, triggering the release of hormones and resulting in a rise in blood pressure. However, the rise in blood pressure caused by caffeine is negligible and it lasts only for a short period. Therefore, consuming coffee to address low blood pressure is not effective. It is recommended to opt for alternatives like salted rice gruel or lemon water for this purpose.

Due to the potential for a slight increase in blood pressure, it is advisable to avoid coffee or tea half an hour before a blood pressure test, although this effect may not be found in everyone. To determine if coffee affects your blood pressure, check your BP before drinking coffee and then recheck it half an hour later. If there is a five to ten-point increase in blood pressure, you may be sensitive to coffee. However, drinking just one cup of coffee a day generally does not pose any problems.

As stated, it is the caffeine in the coffee that is the source of the phenomenon. Caffeine is present not only in coffee but also in many other food items. Caffeine is added to boost energy and keep individuals awake. Caffeine is also present in green tea, energy drinks, and chocolates. Checking the nutrition label can help you identify the caffeine content in each product.
Dr. B. Padmakumar
Govt. Medical College, Alappuzha
(Courtesy: Arogyam)