If you suffer from high blood pressure or hypertension, your daily cup of coffee may be doing more damage than good, according to specialists. The disorder, defined by an increased force of blood on the arterial walls, can lead to major heart issues.
Beloved brews and bites may be a silent threat for those monitoring their blood pressure, with coffee standing out due to its potential to raise pressure levels, according to Durham Nephrology Associates, who say: “If you are a coffee lover, try switching to half-caff coffee, or decaf if you can’t give it up completely. There are also caffeine-free teas available, and some tea kinds naturally have very low quantities of caffeine.”
According to Surrey Live, drinking green tea may provide further benefits because studies have linked it to lower systolic blood pressure, which measures the pressure caused by the heart’s pumping motion.
And don’t underestimate the efficacy of a low-salt diet in controlling your blood pressure, which is another simple method to improve your cardiovascular health.
The British Heart Foundation (BHF) advises that people with high blood pressure “Don’t cook with salt or add any to their food at the table, and cut down on processed foods, which contain a lot of salt. ” UK health guidelines recommend that adults limit their daily salt intake to no more than six grams.
The BHF warns that salt can be hidden in ordinary things like soy sauce, fish sauce, yeast extracts, stock cubes, ready-mixed dry seasonings, and rubs, as well as processed foods and ready meals. Regular exercise, together with a balanced diet, is essential for managing high blood pressure.
“Being active and taking regular exercise lowers blood pressure by keeping your heart and blood vessels in good condition,” the NHS clarifies. “Regular exercise can also help you lose weight, which will also help lower your blood pressure.”
Regarding coffee and other caffeinated beverages, the Mayo Clinic advises: “Caffeine may cause a brief rise in your blood pressure, even if you don’t have high blood pressure. This short-term spike in blood pressure happens mainly in people who don’t drink caffeine often, rather than in those who do. Still, the blood pressure response to caffeine differs from person to person.”
They suggest it’s not clear why caffeine causes some people’s blood pressure to briefly rise, and that some researchers believe caffeine could block a hormone that helps keep the arteries widened. Stress might also be a contributing factor.
The article explains: “People who regularly drink caffeine develop a tolerance. As a result, caffeine doesn’t have a long-term effect on blood pressure and is not linked with a higher risk of high blood pressure, also called hypertension. If you have high blood pressure, you likely do not need to limit or stop drinking caffeine if you drink it regularly. But ask your healthcare professional to be sure.”
Signs of high blood pressure
According to the British Heart Foundation, certain symptoms may indicate high blood pressure:
- blurred vision
- nosebleeds
- shortness of breath
- chest pain
- dizziness
- headaches.
Checking your blood pressure
To determine if you have high blood pressure, it’s essential to get tested. It’s recommended that all adults over 40 should check their blood pressure at least once every five years.
You can have your blood pressure measured in various locations, including:
- At your GP surgery
- At some pharmacies
- As part of your NHS Health Check
- In some workplaces.
The NHS also suggests that you can keep an eye on your blood pressure from the comfort of your home with a personal blood pressure monitor.
