Research shows that regularly drinking more than four cups of coffee a day can increase the risk of fatal heart disease.
Researchers found that more than 400 milligrams of coffee per day was linked to a gradual increase in heart rate and blood pressure.
The team believes that caffeine, by increasing heart rate and blood pressure, causes wear and tear on the blood vessels and heart, making them weaker and damaged.
They concluded that this could eventually lead to a heart attack, stroke or heart failure.
There are about 90 mg of caffeine in one 8 ounce of filtered coffee. The researchers said that drinking more than 400 mg per day increases your risk of developing cardiovascular problems.
“Due to its effects on the autonomic nervous system, regular caffeine consumption may pose a risk for hypertension and other cardiovascular diseases in healthy individuals,” said study author Dr. Nency Kagathara.
Dr. Kagathara and a team of researchers from Zydus Medical College and Hospital in India came to these conclusions by studying 92 people with healthy hearts.
They tested each participant’s heart rate and blood pressure before and after a three-minute cardio workout.
They also recorded information about their demographics and caffeine consumption, such as whether they liked coffee, tea or soda.
Nearly 20 percent of participants consumed more than 400 mg of caffeine daily.
That’s equal to two Celsius energy drinks, about nine cups of black tea or 11 Coca Colas. For comparison, a venti Starbucks cold brew contains 310 mg.
The CDC and NHS recommend drinking no more than 400mg per day. Lower guidelines apply for pregnant and breastfeeding women.
People who consumed more than 400 mg per day were significantly more likely to have increased blood pressure and heart rate overall and after completing the three-minute cardio session.
The researchers caution that their results could also be due to other differences between participants, such as their activity level, age or different eating habits.
Still, Dr. Kagathara said, “Raising awareness of these risks is essential to improving heart health for everyone.”
The people who most often consumed excessive caffeine in this way were women who lived in urban areas and worked in business settings.
These findings were presented at the 2024 American College of Cardiology Asia conference and have yet to be published in a scientific journal.
Drinking more than 400 mg of caffeine per day can cause a chronic increase in blood pressure, the researchers explained, which could increase the risk of developing cardiovascular problems such as stroke.
High blood pressure is not harmful for short periods.
But constant high pressure puts a strain on the body’s blood vessels and heart muscles, which can lead to heart attack, stroke, heart failure, kidney problems, vascular dementia and eye problems.
A chronically high heart rate can cause similar complications.
Caffeine is the most widely used drug in the world. It works by temporarily blocking receptors in your brain that regulate sleep, memory, attention, and learning.
This increases oxygen supply to the brain, speeds up your heart rate, and improves your ability to concentrate, all of which can make you feel more awake.
It can also raise your blood pressure. High doses can cause unpleasant side effects such as headaches, nausea, anxiety, nervousness, increased body temperature and a red face.
In fact, if you drink more than 5,000 mg of it, caffeine can be fatal, according to the Center for Addiction and Mental Health.
However, older studies support the idea that drinking caffeinated beverages in moderation is not harmful.
Drinking a small amount of tea each day has been shown to promote gut health and reduce the risk of heart disease.
Some studies even suggest that drinking a moderate amount of coffee every day can help office workers live longer.