Caffeine is a stimulant generally found in soft drinks, tea and coffee. However, it is also present in some nuts, medicines and in chocolate. In moderation, caffeine serves to make individuals more energetic. Conversely, in excess it can cause individuals to become anxious and restless. Caffeine has greater effects in those people who are more sensitive to it. According to the Mayo Clinic, drinking excessive caffeine may raise blood pressure.
How Much Can Caffeine Raise Blood Pressure?
Normal blood pressure should be about 120/80. Drinking 2-3 cups of caffeinated coffee can raise the systolic number by 3-14mm Hg. Also, this amount of caffeine can raise the diastolic number by 4-13 mm Hg. In those individuals who do not usually consume caffeine, consuming an excess of caffeine on an occasional basic can cause a sharper increase in blood pressure numbers.
Conflicting Studies
According to the Mayo Clinic, some studies suggest that drinking caffeine increases the risk of high blood pressure while other studies imply that drinking caffeine can actually lower the risk of high blood pressure.
Doctor Recommendations
According to the Mayo Clinic, many doctors instruct their patients to limit caffeine to no more that 200mg, about 2 cups of coffee, as a precaution. Also, some doctors recommend that individuals avoid caffeine before participating in any strenuous activities.
determine if Caffeine is Adversely Effecting your Blood Pressure?
The Mayo Clinic advises that individuals check their blood pressure about 30 minutes after consuming some type of caffeinated drink. If the blood pressure reading is 5-10 points higher than normal, then it can be assumed that the individual is sensitive to caffeine. In that case, it may be wise to limit or avoid caffeine.
Weaning off Caffeine
If an individual determines that she should reduce or eliminate the amount of caffeine consumed, then she should gradually reduce the amount of caffeine consumed daily. Giving up caffeine suddenly can result in bothersome headaches.
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